IN a throwback to the era of iron-fisted former president Abdul Taib Mahmud, Sarawak’s ruling Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu’s (PBB) triennial delegates’ conference this weekend will be devoid of new line-ups for top positions.

The only exception is in the party’s Bumiputera wing, where there will be a scramble for the four vice-presidents’ posts. Top positions in the PBB supreme council, and Youth and Women’s wings remain uncontested.

In keeping with tradition, all key positions in the party had already been determined prior to the three-day conference, said James Chin, director of the Asia Institute Tasmania at University of Tasmania, Australia.

He said the conference was taking place in the state capital of Kuching, beginning today, and would be a “highly choreographed” event.

Prime Minister Najib Razak will officiate at the gathering tomorrow.

“All controversial issues have been settled beforehand, especially regarding key positions,” said Chin.

PBB acting president and Chief Minister Abang Johari Openg, who retains the presidency uncontested, has defended the party’s lack of contests as its “own way of grooming new leaders”.

His two acting deputies – Douglas Uggah Embas and Awang Tengah Ali Hassan – also retain their positions uncontested.

Suggestions that state Tourism Minister Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah could challenge federal Works Minister Fadillah Yusof for the Bumiputera wing’s senior vice-president’s post, which had been vacated by Awang Tengah, have been proven wrong, as behind-the-scenes dealings have manoeuvred Fadillah into the position.

Fadillah has given up his post as Youth chief at the conference, due to the age-limit rule.

The other senior vice-president’s post reserved for the Pesaka wing went to state Education, Science and Technological Research Minister Michael Manyin.

The vacant Youth chief’s post is set to be won uncontested by Fadillah’s deputy, Gerald Jabu, while the vacant Women chief’s post, following Empiang Jabu’s decision to call it a day after 11 years, will be won uncontested by Empiang’s deputy, state Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development Minister Fatimah Abdullah.

As the delegates’ debates will be held behind closed doors – again, in keeping with tradition – the only matter of note may be the contest for the four vice-presidents’ posts, reportedly among PBB’s seven elected representatives – Abdul Karim (Asajaya), Talib Zulpilip (Jepak), Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi (Pantai Damai), Julaihi Narawi (Sebuyau), Len Talif Salleh (Kuala Rajang), Dr Annuar Rapaee (Nangka) and Dr Abdul Rahman Ismail (Bukit Kota).

The last time PBB had a major election was in 1998, when Abang Johari defeated the late Adenan Satem, who was said to be Taib’s preferred choice, for the deputy president’s post.

PBB is the result of a merger between three parties, namely the multiracial Parti Negara Sarawak, Malay-only Barisan Rakyat Jati Sarawak and Parti Pesaka Anak Sarawak (Pesaka), which is for the Iban.

It is for this reason that PBB has two wings for natives: the Bumiputera wing for Malays and the Melanau, as well as the Pesaka wing.

Posts are equally divided, with the exception of the president’s post, which is solely reserved for those from the Bumiputera wing, and the secretary-general’s post, which is reserved for Pesaka. – February 9, 2018.