All candidates aligned to ruling Parti Pesaka-Bumiputra Bersatu Sarawak (PBB) deputy president Abang Johari Tun Openg for the 11 exco posts reserved for the Malay/Melanau section were defeated at the party elections today.

This had been expected when only three candidates said to be linked to Johari, who is state tourism minister, managed to pull through out of eight vying for PBB Youth exco posts over the weekend.

The results of today's main body exco elections were announced by the election committee chairman Asfia Awang Nassar, the state assembly speaker.

Three notable casualties in the pro-Johari camp were incumbent and state assemblyperson Abdul Wahab Aziz, member of Parliament and chairman of Sarawak Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board Wan Junaidi bin Tuanku Jafaar, and Assistant Minister for Housing Dr Abang Draup Abang Zen.

Two of Johari's strong supporters who also lost in their bid were Othman Marzuki, a former political secretary to the chief minister, and Haider Khan Asghar Khan.

Senior VP's men elected

However, the candidates said to be aligned to PBB senior vice-president Adenan Satem, who is also minister of agriculture and food industries, and PBB treasurer Awang Tengah Ali Hassan, who is also assistant minister in the Chief Minister's Office, were all re-elected.

They are Mohd Ali Mahmud (a brother of PBB president and Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud), state assemblyperson and managing director of Hornbills Skyways Aidan Wing, businessman Mohd Ghazali Kipli, state assemblyperson and chairman of Sarawak Economic Development Corporation Talip Zulpilip, Senator Abdillah Rahim and state assemblypersons Julaihi Narawi, Daud Abdul Rahman, Noroden Majais, Dr Wahbi Zuhaidi and Hamden Ahmad.

A new face elected to the exco was Hashim Yap, head of Batu Kawa division. But another new face, Rony Assim, a former diplomat-turned-businessman from Mukah, did not make it.

All candidates for six exco posts reserved for the Iban/Orang Ulu section were returned unopposed.

There was, however, contest for the three Bidayuh exco posts, and there were four candidates. Incumbent John Nyigor, an accountant by profession, lost.