Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) senior vice-president Awang Tengah Ali Hasan today denied an online report alleging that he was behind a conspiracy to topple party president and Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud, describing it as false and baseless.

NONE Referring to the contents of the Sarawak Report , Awang Tengah, who is also second minister of resource planning and environment, said he knew it was the work of outsiders and 'witches' who wanted to see PBB as the backbone of Sarawak Barisan Nasional (BN) split and weakened, especially now that the parliamentary election was around the corner.

"I wish to state categorically that there is no such plot. I am always with and committed to our beloved chief minister through thick and thin.

'I am one of those people who want the chief minister to continue to lead the party, the state and the government and my colleagues in the party know this as a fact," he said in a statement in Kuching.

He believed that the source of the report on the 'Plot to topple chief minister of Sarawak' published in the local press yesterday was from the Sarawak Report , which was a foreign-based portal known to be anti-Sarawak government and publishing allegations publicly known to be false and baseless all the while.

On the Sarawak Report claims that it received an explosive dossier from sources close to Taib detailing a powerful conspiracy to depose him at the next PBB party convention due in May, he said it did not make sense for the sources allegedly close to the chief minister to pass the so-called dossier to the portal, which had been attacking the chief minister and the Sarawak government.

'I am not crazy for position'

NONE "I think I have proven myself to be loyal to the party and chief minister, who is the president of our party, PBB," he said, adding that in 1998, he was asked to stand as one of the candidates for the post of senior vice-president of the party, which he accepted at the last minute and won but had voluntarily stepped down in order to ensure that party unity and hierarchy continued.

"I am not ambitious or crazy for position either in the party or government. In my political life I never lobby for position.

"I just want to devote myself to giving my contribution and service to our beloved people, party and the state," he said.

Awang Tengah, who is also public utilities minister and industrial development minister, said, therefore, the contents of the Sarawak Report were malicious wild allegations intended to split the party, which was not going to be trapped by its irresponsible malicious game.

The report also alleged that the high-level defectors led by Awang Tengah would maintain a pretence of unity during the coming general polls, due by April at the latest,  but had collected enough supporters, including Taib’s own close family members to oust him in May.

Awang not 'Brutus'

Meanwhile, PBB deputy president Abang Johari Tun Openg said the online report on the alleged conspiracy to topple the party president was mischievous.

bn candidates announcement pbb hq 030411 abang johari He also said the allegation was made because of the strong bond among PBB party members.

"The allegation focused on second minister of resource planning and environment Awang Tengah, but I know he (Awang Tengah) is not 'Brutus'.

"He had been an officer working under me when I was assistant minister, and he is not that type.

"I know him because I'm also partially responsible for his candidacy in 1987 to contest in Lawas.

"We (PBB) are strong, that's why others are jealous. When there is jealousy, they will make us quarrel among ourselves.

"I advise PBB supporters to ignore this allegation because it's not true," he told reporters in Kuching yesterday.

- Bernama