Political analysis by Simon Peter
KUCHING, Jan 17, 2017 - Will Sarawak United People's
Party (SUPP) president Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian be appointed one of the three
deputy ministers in the new State Cabinet to be named by Chief Minister Datuk
Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg in two days' time.
Newly-minted Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Openg is expected to announce a minor Cabinet Reshuffle this Thursday
Or will it be the Second Minister of Resource Planning
and Environment, Minister of Industrial and Entrepreneur Development, Trade and
Investment Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan made the deputy chief minister?
The Chinese community has been praying for Dr Sim, a
well-known cardiologist, to be appointed as one of the three deputy chief
ministers, representing the community.
The community was hoping for former Chief Minister Tan
Sri Adenan Satem to pick Dr Sim as a deputy chief minister, but instead
appointed him as the Minister of Local Government, after the state election on
May 7 last year.
Now, the community is looking at Abang Johari for the
appointment.
But Abang Johari, knowing that he needs the support of
his party, is likely to pick Awang Tengah as one of the three deputy chief
ministers.
Awang Tengah, a senior vice president of PBB, has a large
followings in the party and it is sure that Abang Johari does not want to rock
the boat at this crucial time.
If Awang Tengah is sidelined for promotion, his supporters
will see that as a snub.
Moreover, Abang Johari does not want to create instability
in PBB, by extension in Sarawak, in view of the coming general election,
possibly to be held later this year or early next year.
He also wants to solidify his position in PBB which will
be holding its delegates convention next year during which time, new office
bearers will be elected.
Therefore, he needs the support from PBB, especially its
45 state assemblymen, for him to move forward as the sixth chief minister.
He must needs 100 per cent support from the party and the
State Barisan Nasional to ensure political stability in Sarawak.
Therefore, there is too much at stake if Abang Johari
does not appoint Awang Tengah as one of the deputy chief ministers.
If Awang Tengah is elevated, then who will succeed him in
his current positions in the State Cabinet.
The three portfolios that he is holding are among the
most important in the State Cabinet.
The person to take over the posts must be someone who has
considerable experience in the state administration as well as holding senior
post in the party.
Perhaps, Abang Johari will allow him to keep the three portfolios
while at the same time, becoming the deputy chief minister.
Perhaps, Abang Johari will appoint Awang Tengah to be Minister
of Tourism, Arts and Culture; Minister of Housing and Urbanisation as well as
the deputy chief minister while Abang Johari will take over the posts
previously held by the former chief minister.
Or perhaps, Abang Johari will promote one of the
assistant ministers to take over the portfolios of Tourism, Arts and Culture
and Housing and Urbanisation.
There is no better person than Abang Johari's current
assistant Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.
A lawyer by profession, Karim is seen as a capable
replacement and very knowledgeable on issues facing the housing industry and
tourism sector.
I see Karim is a hot favourite for promotion.
If Karim is not promoted, then the next best person is
Datuk Talip Zulpilip, the current Assistant Minister for Infrastructural
Development and Assistant Minister for Urbanisation.
Moreover Talip is a vice president of PBB, putting him
above Karim in party's hierarchy.
I see Semob assemblyman and chief political secretary
Abdullah Saidol to be appointed as an assistant minister in the new state
administration.
He is seen as one of the potential young leaders in PBB.
I expect Abang Johari's Cabinet to be a minor reshuffle
involving mostly PBB ministers.
We don't expect him to dramatically change the portfolios
that Adenan had established. Moreover, the ministers and assistant ministers
have just started to acquaint and adjust them in their new positions after the
state election a few months ago.
They have, in fact, been preparing plans and agendas for their respective ministries. So,
we don't expect Abang Johari to disrupt the preparation now by shifting the
ministers and assistant ministers to new portfolios.
So, we don't expect a major Cabinet reshuffle to be
announced by Abang Johari this Thursday.
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