COMMENT | Sarawak’s Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) held its party polls last week. It received little coverage in Peninsular Malaysia, where an appreciation of what is going on in Sarawak politics is a serious deficit.

PBB is the fourth-largest party in the government, holding 14 seats in Parliament and its leader, Sarawak Premier Abang Johari Openg, is arguably one of the most powerful politicians in the country.

As leader of the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) coalition consisting of 23 parliamentary seats, he was decisive in forming the Madani government - and remains so.

His continued support for the government is critical for whether Anwar Ibrahim remains prime minister and for national political stability.

The PBB party election, called early before the expected 2026 Sarawak state election, served to galvanise the party, strengthen leaders ahead of the state polls and send a clear message of accommodation both nationally and within the party.