Fadillah S Rise Poses Questions On Pbb S Future Leaders

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In the PBB hierarchy, Fadillah Yusof, a vice-president, ranks below party president Abang Johari Openg and two deputy presidents. (Bernama pic)KUCHING: History was made when Fadillah Yusoff was named a deputy prime minister, the first person from east Malaysia to hold such a position, but his rise now raises questions about Sarawak’s future.
Fadillah is a senior vice-president in Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu Sarawak, the dominant party in the ruling Gabungan Parti Sarawak coalition.
In terms of party hierarchy, Fadillah ranks below PBB president Abang Johari Openg and deputy presidents Douglas Uggah Embas and Awang Tengah Ali Hasan.
Abang Johari is the Sarawak premier, while Uggah and Awang Tengah are deputy premiers.

“But in terms of protocol, the federal deputy prime minister ranks higher than the state premier,” said a GPS leader who declined to be named. “So what happens when Abang Johari decides to retire and Fadillah wishes to return to Sarawak? The party hierarchy is tricky.”
Aside from hierarchy, the leader said Abang Johari’s most trusted general, Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, may also be in the running for a leadership contest in future.
Karim, a PBB vice-president, is the only person in the Sarawak Cabinet aside from Abang Johari, Uggah and Awang Tengah to hold more than one portfolio.
The source said the situation may not be a problem yet as there was no sign of Abang Johari stepping down, though there was a need for clarity where the future of PBB’s leadership was concerned.
“For Sarawak, what is important is stability and given the national political landscape, what happens here has an impact on the nation.”
Changing dynamics
The source said the question over PBB’s future leadership will also need to take into account the “changing dynamics” in the state.
Politics in Sarawak, like everywhere else around the country, was changing, said the source.
“You have young voters, new voters, and their expectations of Sarawakian leaders are different. So the question of Sarawak’s future leaders cannot be dealt with in top-down fashion.
“I believe PBB realises that newer voters evaluate the party, the leaders and what they have to offer. It’s not just about the logo any more.”
If PBB wants to remain relevant it must have its ears to the ground on the kind of leadership the younger generation wants to see.
The source said it was encouraging that PBB was preparing for this “new politics” with the establishment of the Belia wing for those aged between 18 and 25.
The wing is PBB’s second youth wing and includes both men and women, a departure from the current practice of having gender-based wings, but in line with the trends in Europe, Australia and New Zealand.
“It will be the blueprint for the future of Sarawak’s politics.” - FMT

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