Claims of PBB infighting baseless, says PDP Senior VP
SIBU (July 19): Bawang Assan assemblyman and Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) Senior Vice President Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh has dismissed claims of a power struggle within Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) as baseless rumours.
He said PBB president and Sarawak Premier, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, and PBB deputy president and Deputy Premier, Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, continue to work closely in governing the state and strengthening the party.
'Datuk Amar Awang Tengah has widely been seen as loyal and cooperative, accepting the role of Deputy Premier and continuing to work closely with Abang Johari, particularly on resource development, land matters, trade and investment and also on Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) negotiations with the federal government,' Wong told reporters yesterday on his view as a senior politician pertaining to the claims of a power struggle brewing in PBB reported by an online news portal.
He added that Awang Tengah, seen more as a technocrat and strategic planner than a populist, has consistently supported Abang Johari's leadership.
'Under Abang Johari, PBB/GPS has been remarkably stable and powerful. There is no such thing within PBB like establishing power base for factional infighting,' he said.
To illustrate the longstanding relationship between the two leaders, Wong showed reporters a photo taken in Cambodia in 2014 of himself, the late Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud, Abang Johari, and Awang Tengah holding hands.
(From left) Awang Tengah, late Tun Abdul Taib, Wong and Abang Johari. – Photo courtesy of Wong Soon Koh
'I remember vividly that the late Tun Abdul Taib, dubbed the father of modern Sarawak, wanted both Abang Johari and Awang Tengah to work hand-in-hand to maintain the political stability in Sarawak.
'This was Tun Abdul Taib's insistence. I am sure both Abang Johari and Awang Tengah will work hard to abide with the words of wisdom from Tun Abdul Taib.
'And now, Abang Johari is the Premier of Sarawak, and I am very sure that Awang Tengah will go all out to support him.
'This historic photograph from 2014 captures the strong bonding between Abang Johari and Awang Tengah,' said Wong.
Echoing PBB information chief Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Wong reiterated that PBB has always upheld a culture of respecting its leadership.
'As far as I am concerned, there is no rivalry in PBB. These claims are spawned by irresponsible quarters to create confusions only,' he said. Abang Johari Awang Tengah lead PBB wong soon koh
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