In what is seen as clearly a move to gain greater influence over the Pesaka (Dayak) wing of Parti Pesaka Bumiputra Bersatu Sarawak (PBB), its deputy president Alfred Jabu anak Numpang has successfully installed his own supporter to head the Kakus division and also gained control over the nearby Tamin division.

The two predominantly-Iban divisions, out of some 20 Pesaka divisions from a total of PBB's 62 divisions throughout Sarawak, are now seen as safely in the hands of the group under Jabu, one of two Sarawak's deputy chief ministers.

It is seen as an attempt at reducing further the influence of his one-time mentor Leonard Linggi Jugah, who resigned recently as secretary-general of PBB, the backbone of the ruling four-party state coalition, and of Sarawak Barisan Nasional.

Betong member of parliament Douglas Uggah, a Betong Iban and deputy minister in the Prime Minister's Department, took over as head of Kakus division in central Sarawak from Sanok Manggai. He is closely aligned to Jabu.

Kakus, headed by Musa Giri before Sanok was elected head, was once regarded as under the influence of former state minister of housing, PBB vice-president and former PBB Youth chief Celestine Ujang. Musa, however, remains a PBB supreme council member.

Ujang stepped down as minister at the last state elections. He is largely seen to have been a supporter of Linggi Jugah, a lawyer by training and a successful Iban businessman.

Tamin division incumbent head Garai Entili retained his post. He is also regarded as a staunch supporter of Jabu.

Highly ambitious

Jabu, accompanied by several PBB leaders, including Asajaya assemblyperson Abdul Karim Abdul Rahman, a lawer by training and politician seen as highly ambitious, and Kemena assemblyperson Dr Stephen Rundi Utom, officiated at the installation ceremony of the newly-elected officials of Kakus and Tamin divisions on Tuesday night at Ruman Rantai in Ulu Sepiring in the Balingian district.

The function, attended by some 2,000 party members and supporters, was a clear indication of the swing of new Pesaka support at the divisional level for Jabu and his group.

Abdul Karim from the Bumiputra (Malay/Melanau) wing of PBB, an aspirant for the PBB Youth deputy leader post, has also been said lately to be increasingly active on the ground to try and garner support in his bid to take over the No 2 post.

The incumbent is PBB treasurer Awang Tengah Ali Hassan, an assistant state minister, who because he is now over age, has to relinquish the position and is said to be telling members that Abdul Karim is the top leadership's choice.

PBB Youth leader Gramong Juna, an assistant state minister, is from the Pesaka wing and the post will not be contested in compliance with general understanding among top party leaders.

Four names on list

But with Awang Tengah having to relinquish the No 2 post, there is now a vacancy, and at least four names have been mentioned as likely to fill that post.

Top of the list and considered the most senior is Ibrahim Baki, a lawyer by training and a Bumiputra businessman closely aligned to the other PBB deputy president Abang Johari Tun Openg.

Next in line is the Nangka (Sibu) state assemblyperson Awang Bemee Awang Ali Basah, the Youth secreatry-general. Next is Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi, Youth exco member and state assemblyperson for Pantai Damai. The medical practitioner polled the highest votes in the last youth elections in 1998.

Abdul Karim, a lawyer by training and son of a former PBB leader Abdul Rahman Hamzah, has served one term as PBB Youth exco member. He polled the second lowest votes in the youth election.

Ibrahim Baki, who gave way twice to Awang Tengah for the No 2 post, is now reported to be ready to stake his claim, and is said to enjoy considerable support within PBB Youth, despite talks that Abdul Karim may have the blessing from the top party leadership.

In the event he is being 'pressurised' to step aside, Ibahim has indicated he thinks Dr Abdul Rahman is likely to be the next choice. But others within his group prefer Abang Omar Abang Ali, a successful Malay businessman, who polled the second highest votes in the last youth election.

Thus, changes taking place among divisional heads are seen as significant in more ways than one. Hence, the growing excitement and interest in many divisional elections now taking place throughout Sarawak ahead of the party convention from July 5-10.

Keenly contested

An unsuccessful attempt was made to retain the incumbent Councillor Abu Bakar Hamid as head of the Piasau division (Bumiputra wing) of PBB. Seen as largely a supporter of Awang Tengah, he lost to Ahmad Lai by four votes in what was reported to be a keenly-contested fight.

Awang Tengah himself officiated at the opening of the Piasau division election. Also present was a senior PBB, leader Asfia Awang Nassar, the State Assembly Speaker. The elections were conducted by Abdul Karim.

Ahmad Lai, a businessman, was a Piasau exco member before this. According to a party source, Abu Bakar's narrow defeat was not only a surprise but also a blow to the three PBB leaders present at the opening.

"Attempts to get Ahmad Lai to step aside in favour of the incumbent were clearly rebuffed."

Meanwhile, moves are underway by some PBB leaders to replace the incumbent Abdullah Mohd Noor, an engineer by training and head of Limbang division (Bumiputra wing) of PBB, with Dr Leo Michael Toyad, the Mukah member of parliament and deputy foreign minister, in this northernmost part of Sarawak.

This is partly in compliance with the PBB supreme council's decision that all elected representatives should be divisional heads.

Added significance

But the move in Limbang has an added significance in that Abdullah was the only divisional chief who supported former defence minister and former PBB deputy president Abang Abu Bakar in his unsuccessful bid for re-election as the party's No 2 in 1998. This was said to have angered PBB president and Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud.

However, there is talk that Abdullah may not be totally left out — as some sort of a compromise, he will be made deputy to Leo Toyad. There is no indication as to whether the latter has agreed or will agree to such an arrangement.

Malaysiakini understands that the Limbang division is still awaiting a written directive from PBB headquarters on the proposed change.

"The letter has been prepared and it is awaiting the signature of the acting secretary-general Bolhassan Di," one source told malaysiakini .

Meanwhile, the Batang Ai division incumbent and former state assemblyperson Mikau Mandau has been directed to give way to Senator Bujang Tembak, a Jabu ally, during the divisional elections on June 18.

Mikai, the assemblyperson for Batang Ai from 1986 to 1991, is aligned to the former PBB secretary-general's group.

However, no changes are expected in at least four PBB Pesaka wing's divisions — Ngemah (incumbent is Robert Menoa, a former political secretary), Machan (PBB Youth leader Gramong Juna), Meluan (incumbent is Janggu Bangau) and Pakan (incumbent is Jimbun anak Ladin) when they meet this weekend.

They are some of the divisions that have either tended to be on their own or supporting the party's former secretary-general.

According to observers, the long-term implications of any shift of influence to the Jabu group, seen largely as strong supporters of the PBB president, within the Pesaka wing could have a damaging impact on PBB deputy president (Bumiputra wing) Abang Johari's chances at re-election or even promotion at the 2005 party elections.

Big swing

Although in the 1998 party elections Abang Johari, facing a three-cornered fight involving also the then PBB vice- president Adenan Satem, state minister of agriculture and food industries, and seen largely as a Taib man, and Abang Abu Bakar, won marginally among Malay/Melanau delegates, the big swing came largely from the support from the Pesaka wing.

The re-alignment of support at the divisional level is now, therefore, seen at preparing for the party elections three years' hence. The party convention next month will not see changes at the top leadership because of a "no-contest" agreement among top key posts at PBB supreme council, youth and women's sections.

By 2005 or even earlier, when Taib is expected to make clearer his intentions on his position as party leader and possibly even as chief minister, the picture on the front-runners or contenders should be clearer too.

Surprisingly, one name that has been frequently mentioned as likely successor as chief minister is not from the list of party leaders serving in the state — he is one of PBB vice-presidents and federal Agriculture Minister Effendi Norwawi.

When Abang Abu Bakar was dropped as the incumbent for the Kuala Rajang parliamentary seat, it was offered to Effendi, paving the way for his appointment to the Federal Cabinet, in place of long-serving federal minister Dr Sulaiman Hj Daud.

"PBB Malay politics is sometimes perplexing, and could be quite divisive too. Hence the Pesaka wing in PBB controlling some 20 divisions is seen as also important in determining who would be the new leader in the post-Taib era," one keen observer commented.