Silent rivalry brewing in Sarawak over premiership?
KUCHING : A quiet leadership contest is said to be brewing in Sarawak, as factions aligned with Premier Abang Johari Openg and his deputy Awang Tengah Ali Hasan begin positioning themselves ahead of a potential battle that could shape the state's future direction.
A source told FMT on condition of anonymity that the succession issue could trigger intensive political manoeuvring in the months ahead, with the next state election slated for 2026.
Known as a 'blue blood' in Sarawak politics, Abang Johari, son of the state's first governor Abang Openg Sapiee, commands strong support among rural voters and delegates from Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), which he leads, according to the source.
The source also said Abang Johari also has the support of the state's civil service, having aggressively pursued infrastructure development, digital economy initiatives and autonomy over state revenue, which flows through government machinery.
'Civil servants benefit from these policies through job security, promotions and increased budgets for projects,' the source added.
Abang Johari, who turns 75 this year, took over as chief minister in 2017 after Adenan Satem's death. He was officially redesignated as premier in February 2022.
Awang Tengah, 61, is seen by some as a charismatic leader, with the source saying that he also commands significant grassroots support and is an efficient administrator of state development projects.
'When people bring up issues with him, he sorts them out quickly,' he said of the PBB senior vice-president.
Awang Tengah is the state's second minister for natural resources and urban development as well as its international trade and investment minister.
'Both have their supporters, but at the moment Abang Johari holds an advantage,' the source said.
No such thing, says PBB info chief
Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.
PBB information chief Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah however dismissed talk of a power struggle, saying PBB's top two leaders were not competing against each other.
'I know both of them. They are close with one another,' he told FMT, insisting that there was no move by the premier's subordinates to bring him down.
'From my own experience in PBB, when the party decides to drop you as a candidate, you accept it wholeheartedly,' said Karim.
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