Politics in Sarawak has been heating up, with its Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud announcing his plans to step down, and possibly assuming the Yang di-Pertua Negeri position. We wondered if there was going to be a difference in the political and economic landscape of Sarawak if and when Taib moves on to his new role.
“We expect it to be business as usual in Sarawak. Taib has been in power for 33 years, he is extremely influential. All the businessmen and politicians owe their profits and power to him, we do not expect things to change,” said Professor Dr Andrew Aeria, a political scientist from the Faculty of Social Sciences at the Universiti of Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS).
READ: Taib names successor, to resign on Feb 28
But, Aeria questioned if the new Chief Minister would have the independence and gumption to implement different social and economic policies from his predecessor. “It was questionable, as all of them (the named candidates) would have owed Taib in one form of another,” he said.
Ba'kelalan assemblyman Baru Bian told us that while the people of Sarawak might want different policies, it would take an 'aggressive, courageous and bold' new Chief Minister to make a difference in Sarawak. Baru, who is with Parti Keadilan Rakyat, concurred with Aeria that Taib's influence was still strong and he could be 'wielding power from behind the throne,' despite the state governor's duties being different from a Chief Minister.
However, Sarawak's political stability might be challenged, explained Aeria.
When Tun Datuk Patinggi Abdul Rahman Ya'kub was the Yang di-Pertua Negeri, Taib was operating independently from Rahman's influence, and was linked to commercial activities. “But there was a fallout between the two in 1987, which was detrimental to businesses in Sarawak.” Aeria asked, what if the new Chief Minister decides to go against the state governor, resulting in repercussions to economic investments? “There is a danger that businesses will make decisions based on personalities rather than rationally thought out risks,” added Aeria.
As the Constitution of the State of Sarawak bars the state Governor from being involved in commercial enterprises, how does this affect Taib's connections linked to various economic sectors? Andrew said, “We all know the rule of law is weak for different personalities, where there is one rule for the elite and another for the masses.” Baru pointed out that those practices have been allowed for past 30 years and would probably continue.
Based on these views, Taib does not look likely to 'retire' from limelight, and other analysts have reportedly stated that his influence was still strong in the logging, mining and infrastructure sectors. Only time can tell if Taib will take a backseat from Sarawak politics.
In the meantime we took a look at the state's constitution and the Civil List Ordinance 1963 to find out the processes involved in appointing a Yang di-Pertua Negeri.
But, Aeria questioned if the new Chief Minister would have the independence and gumption to implement different social and economic policies from his predecessor. “It was questionable, as all of them (the named candidates) would have owed Taib in one form of another,” he said.
Ba'kelalan assemblyman Baru Bian told us that while the people of Sarawak might want different policies, it would take an 'aggressive, courageous and bold' new Chief Minister to make a difference in Sarawak. Baru, who is with Parti Keadilan Rakyat, concurred with Aeria that Taib's influence was still strong and he could be 'wielding power from behind the throne,' despite the state governor's duties being different from a Chief Minister.
However, Sarawak's political stability might be challenged, explained Aeria.
When Tun Datuk Patinggi Abdul Rahman Ya'kub was the Yang di-Pertua Negeri, Taib was operating independently from Rahman's influence, and was linked to commercial activities. “But there was a fallout between the two in 1987, which was detrimental to businesses in Sarawak.” Aeria asked, what if the new Chief Minister decides to go against the state governor, resulting in repercussions to economic investments? “There is a danger that businesses will make decisions based on personalities rather than rationally thought out risks,” added Aeria.
As the Constitution of the State of Sarawak bars the state Governor from being involved in commercial enterprises, how does this affect Taib's connections linked to various economic sectors? Andrew said, “We all know the rule of law is weak for different personalities, where there is one rule for the elite and another for the masses.” Baru pointed out that those practices have been allowed for past 30 years and would probably continue.
Based on these views, Taib does not look likely to 'retire' from limelight, and other analysts have reportedly stated that his influence was still strong in the logging, mining and infrastructure sectors. Only time can tell if Taib will take a backseat from Sarawak politics.
In the meantime we took a look at the state's constitution and the Civil List Ordinance 1963 to find out the processes involved in appointing a Yang di-Pertua Negeri.
Here's a look at the past governors and Yang di-Pertua Negeri of Sarawak.
1. Sir Charles Noble Arden-Clarke
Tenure: October 26, 1946 to July 26, 1949 First Governor of Sarawak.
2. Sir Duncan George Stewart
Tenure: November 14, 1949 to December 10, 1949 (assassinated in December 1949).
3. Sir Anthony Foster Abell
Tenure: April 4, 1950 to November 15, 1959 (He later joined the Cobbold Commission).
4. Sir Alexander Waddell
Tenure: February 23, 1960 to September 15, 1963.
5. Tun Abang Haji Openg
Tenure: September 16, 1963 to March 28, 1969.
6. Tun Tuanku Bujang Tuanku Othman
Tenure: April 2, 1969 to April 2, 1977.
7. Tun Datuk Patinggi Abang Muhammad Salahuddin
Tenure: April 2, 1977 to April 2, 1981.
8. Tun Datuk Patinggi Abdul Rahman Ya'kub
Tenure: April 2, 1981 to April 2, 1985.
9. Tun Ahmad Zaidi Adruce Muhammed Noor
Tenure: April 2, 1985 to December 5, 2000.
10. Tun Datuk Patinggi Abang Muhammad Salahuddin
Tenure: February 22, 2001 (Incumbent)
Tenure: October 26, 1946 to July 26, 1949 First Governor of Sarawak.
2. Sir Duncan George Stewart
Tenure: November 14, 1949 to December 10, 1949 (assassinated in December 1949).
3. Sir Anthony Foster Abell
Tenure: April 4, 1950 to November 15, 1959 (He later joined the Cobbold Commission).
4. Sir Alexander Waddell
Tenure: February 23, 1960 to September 15, 1963.
5. Tun Abang Haji Openg
Tenure: September 16, 1963 to March 28, 1969.
6. Tun Tuanku Bujang Tuanku Othman
Tenure: April 2, 1969 to April 2, 1977.
7. Tun Datuk Patinggi Abang Muhammad Salahuddin
Tenure: April 2, 1977 to April 2, 1981.
8. Tun Datuk Patinggi Abdul Rahman Ya'kub
Tenure: April 2, 1981 to April 2, 1985.
9. Tun Ahmad Zaidi Adruce Muhammed Noor
Tenure: April 2, 1985 to December 5, 2000.
10. Tun Datuk Patinggi Abang Muhammad Salahuddin
Tenure: February 22, 2001 (Incumbent)
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