Stephen Rundi - Adenan’s ministerial post reflects BN’s new brand of politics

Posted on June 8, 2011, Wednesday
KUCHING: Tanjong Datu state assemblyman Tan Sri Datuk Amar Adenan Satem’s new post in the state cabinet as Minister with Special Functions reflects the new brand of politics in Sarawak, state Barisan Nasional (BN) secretary-general Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi said yesterday.
He said Adenan’s appointment ahead of a cabinet reshuffle that was expected to take place after the state legislative assembly sitting convenes from June 20-29, was timely as it was in line with the government’s transformation plans.
“We in the BN in Sarawak need a mixture of experienced and young leaders and it is timely for him (Adenan) to come in to share his experience and in a way strengthen the BN coalition,” Dr Rundi, who is also Public Health and Public Utilities Assistant Minister, told Bernama.
Following the 67-year-old political veteran’s appointment on Monday, many observers noted that Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud would want to strengthen his cabinet to face a stronger opposition in the 71-member state legislative assembly.
The august House, which will hold its sitting for the first time since the May 16 state election, now has 55 BN members as well as 15 opposition members, comprising DAP (12) and Parti Keadilan Rakyat (three) and one independent.
Among the newly elected representatives from the opposition are lawyers Baru Bian and See Chee How, who are well-known for their expertise in native customary rights (NCR) land matters.
‘Younger BN leaders still need guidance from Adenan’
Taib’s move, which was seen by some as paving the way for Adenan to have a bigger involvement in the state’s administration, especially on land matters, had also fuelled further speculation on the chief minister’s sucesssion plan.
However, Dr Rundi, who preferred to downplay the issue, said the younger set of BN leaders would still need proper guidance from experienced hands like Adenan, who had won all the state and parliamentary elections he had contested since 1979.
On Monday, Adenan, who had served as both state and federal minister, also declined to say much but said that he would give a lengthy media interview later.
Apart from Adenan, who is also Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) information chief, the other potential candidates are Deputy Chief Minister and PBB deputy president I Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu, State Housing Minister and PBB deputy president II Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg as well as State Public Utilities Minister and PBB senior vice-president Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hassan. — Bernama