Abang Jo, Awang Tengah totally aligned at S'wak's helm, says analyst

Free Malaysia Today

08-08-2025

Sarawak Premier Abang Johari Openg has a complementary working relationship with second-in-command, Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, according to political analyst Jeniri Amir.
KUCHING : A political analyst has dismissed speculation of a behind-the-scenes leadership tussle within Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), affirming that Premier Abang Johari Openg and his deputy Awang Tengah Ali Hasan remain firmly aligned.
Last month, FMT reported that a quiet battle was developing at the helm of the party, with factions linked to the two leaders quietly positioning themselves for a contest that could influence the state's political trajectory.
But National Professors Council senior fellow Jeniri Amir said the two leaders share a longstanding bond grounded in party discipline and mutual respect — one they are unlikely to cast aside easily.
'Awang Tengah has always been loyal (to Abang Johari),' the former Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) academic said.
Jeniri Amir.
That loyalty, Jeniri noted, dates back nearly four decades to the 'Ming Court affair' in 1987, when then-chief minister Abdul Taib Mahmud survived an attempt by Abdul Rahman Ya'kub — his uncle and predecessor — to unseat him.
'At the time, the state was facing a possible political coup,' he said, recalling how 27 assemblymen withdrew support for Taib.
Taib responded by dissolving the state assembly and calling fresh elections, narrowly defeating Rahman's newly-formed Persatuan Rakyat Malaysia Sarawak, which was later dissolved in 1991.
'If Taib had lost the 1987 state election, Rahman could have positioned someone else as the chief minister,' Jeniri explained.
He credited Abang Johari with launching Awang Tengah's political career during that turbulent period.
'Not many people remember this, but it was Abang Jo who suggested that Awang Tengah be fielded as a candidate for the Lawas state seat at the height of the Ming Court affair.'
Then just 24 years old, Awang Tengah won the seat uncontested and has represented the constituency — renamed Bukit Sari in 2006 — for nine consecutive terms.
Jeniri said the Ming Court affair has had a lasting impact on PBB, instilling a culture of loyalty that continues to shape its leadership.
'When Abang Johari became premier in 2017 after Adenan Satem's death, Awang Tengah fully supported him,' he said.
'Let's not forget, Abang Johari was passed over once too. When Taib stepped down, many expected Abang Johari to take over as the chief minister.
'But it was Adenan who was chosen. Yet Abang Johari remained loyal and didn't create problems. That's how PBB maintains unity,' he said, referring to the dominant party within the ruling Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS).
Discipline, structure within PBB
Jeniri described both leaders as products of PBB's disciplined and structured leadership culture — traits rarely seen in Peninsular Malaysian politics.
'They both understand party discipline. Even if there are ambitions, those are kept within the framework of the party. They don't go to war with each other,' he said.
According to Jeniri, hierarchy, collaboration and discipline are core tenets of PBB's leadership model that are consistently upheld by Abang Johari and Awang Tengah.
He also highlighted the complementary nature of the duo's working relationship, with Abang Johari setting out the state's strategic direction and Awang Tengah overseeing its execution.
'Abang Jo is transformative. He focuses on the digital economy, the green economy, and closing the rural-urban divide. Awang Tengah handles the implementation, especially in land matters, trade, industry and natural resources.
'This is how Sarawak ensures power-sharing. It's inclusive leadership, which is critical for political stability in a multi-ethnic state,' he said.