Through the strength of a collective and unifying voice, the people of Sarawak have been able to convey their message clearly, in that it is a divine mandate of a dream which is shared and universal - that of Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari Bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg and his vision of greening transformation being brought to fruition.
With the help of the compass that is nothing less than a symbol of integrity, selflessness and a burning passion for his land, Abang Johari has been able to change the future of his state. Not only has he offered good leadership, but he has also shown the bright rays of hope with the courage to explore the economic horizon and bring glory to Sarawak forever.
‘This Is My Last Time’
Beneath the gathering lights of Miri, decorated with the banner of loyalty and PBB party, Abang Johari uttered the truth with clarity. It was a simple truth which reached the ears of the leaders in the upper party echelon. "This is my last time," he said softly.
The man realizes that although the flame of the human soul keeps burning with the vigour of youth, time moves on and is completely heedless of our wishes. In the end, nature is unaffected by any human emotions and appeals.
An insinuating murmur rippled among the faithful crowd as they pondered about the number of years they had struggled, understanding his words to be that the end of his days in the sunlight were approaching.
Flame of the Human Soul
It was a well-considered utterance, meant to stir up the minds of men for the future kingdom—for the sake of training up the inheritors of the crown, checking any rash ambition, and observing the real wishes of the land.
It is important to interpret the phrase "this could be my last time" in its proper context. Since he has already shown that he would not mind stepping down when the time is right, the most important part of the statement is "my last time." As he is at the moment serving a five-year tenure, it is very unlikely that he is talking about the current period.
Through logical inference, his statement seems to be directed toward the upcoming state election and the formation of the next government, where there is little doubt that the GPS coalition would continue to stay in power.
Contest for Last Time
Looking forward, it is expected that Abang Johari will run for one last stint as Premier of the state, after which he will pass on the mantle to another politician mid-term. Although this process of succession is intrinsically linked to party politics within, it takes place as a separate story that will play a big role in the future political scene of the state.
Sarawak Premier and Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) Chairman Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari Bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg recent disclosure of his intention to step down—purportedly midway through the next electoral term—has injected a profound sense of anxiety and strategic recalibration into the state’s political landscape.
While leadership transitions are a natural evolution in democratic governance, Abang Johari’s departure carries exceptionally high stakes for GPS. As the undisputed glue holding the multi-party coalition together, his stewardship has been instrumental in maintaining unprecedented political stability, aggressively pursuing regional rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), and championing a progressive green economy.
Concerns Regarding Succession
Consequently, the looming prospect of his exit has triggered deep-seated concerns regarding succession, potentially exposing dormant fault lines within and among the coalition's component parties—Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), SUPP, PRS, and PDP.
The imminent retirement of a leading politician is usually an acid test for the ruling alliance, and the imminent retirement of Sarawak Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari Bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg or any other equally important politician in the GPS alliance is no exception. The fact that his retirement will give rise to deep-seated worries is an indication of the unstable balance of power.
As far as Sarawak is concerned, GPS is an alliance of different regional and ethnic interests consisting of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP), Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS), and Progressive Democratic Party (PDP).
Uniting Strength of the Leadership
Right now, the tremendous political clout and uniting strength of the leadership prevent dormant ideological, territorial, and factional struggles from surfacing; however, a leadership vacuum will inevitably bring out the hidden weaknesses within.
PBB as the dominant party in the alliance, being dominated by the Malays/Melanus, possesses majority of power and the legislative positions, resulting in an imbalance of power within the system, where the smaller ethnically distinct component parties (SUPP [mainly Chinese], PRS [Dayak], and PDP [multi-ethnic with Dayak leaning]) work reluctantly under the strong leadership who is capable of maintaining consensus.
As there is no clear successor who can maintain these delicate communal relations among these parties, the struggle for the top post may become an internal contest for control of the alliance, and the ugly side of politics may quietly arise if individual clamour for power does surface. But history has shown this is not in the vocabulary of GPS which would be quick to condemn it.
Ensuring Smooth Transition of Leadership
Indeed, the key issue that GPS will have to deal with following this announcement is ensuring that the process of transferring leadership is smooth without creating any room for internal power struggle that can be taken advantage of by outside political elements.
The amazing range of diversity across GPS in terms of ethnicity, region, and distinctive viewpoints provides an excellent chance for growth through inclusivity.
Since there isn’t a clear named successor, GPS will find itself in an ideal position to be able to experience a very cooperative transition of power. This event will give the visionary leaders of the group a chance to demonstrate their strengths and flexibility in dealing with challenges. Handling this critical point in time together will help ensure the continued cohesion of the alliance and its success as a political force.
