Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu

History

Predecessors

Parti Negara Sarawak (PANAS)

PANAS which was formed on 9 April 1960 by Abang Abu Bakar bin Abang Mustapha, was the second political party to be formed after Sarawak United Peoples' Party.

Barisan Ra'ayat Jati Sarawak (BARJASA)

BARJASA was formed on 4 December 1961 by Tuanku Bujang Tuanku Othman. Abdul Rahman Ya'kub and Abdul Taib Mahmud were among the earliest members of the party.

Parti Pesaka Anak Sarawak (PESAKA)

Parti Pesaka Anak Sarawak was formed in Sibu in August 1962 to cater for the Ibans of Batang Rajang. Its promoters refused to join the Sarawak National Party, which they claimed only catered for Ibans from Saribas.

Among the initiators of the party were Penghulu Masam Anak Radin, Pengarah Banyang, Penghulu Chundi Anak Resa and Penghulu Umpau. Temenggong Jugah Barieng, Temenggong Oyong Lawai Jau and Jonathan Bangau joined later. While Jugah and Oyong Lawai Jau were incipiently members of PANAS, Bangau was from SUPP. Other Penghulus from other divisions such as Penghulu Tawi Sli (Second Division) and Penghulu Abok Anak Jalin (Bintulu) also joined PESAKA. PESAKA was therefore known as the Penghulus’ Party. However, the person who actually mooted the idea of forming PESAKA was Thomas Kana, a former dresser at Kuala Belait. He was made the first secretary-general of the party.

Formation of Parti Bumiputera

To ensure the domination of Muslim Bumiputra in Sarawak politics, PANAS and BARJASA initiated a plan of merger a few months after the local council elections of Sarawak in 1963. Initially, both parties were willing to dissolve themselves in order to allow United Malays National Organisation to enter Sarawak. However, UMNO was not interested in accepting non-Muslim-Malay Bumiputeras as members. Therefore, the Malaysian federal government recommended that the two parties combine to form a new separate party. After a series of negotiations, Parti Bumiputera Sarawak was formed on 30 March 1968. On the following day after the merger, Abang Ikhwan Zaini was elected as the President of Parti Bumiputera, Tuanku Bujang as Vice-President, and Abdul Taib Mahmud as the secretary-general of the party. According to Sanib Said (former curator of Sarawak State Museum):

Parti Bumiputera exercised a significant role in the Sarawak cabinet under the leadership of Sarawak Chief Minister Tawi Sli. Taib Mahmud dominated most of the decision making. Parti Bumiputera and Sarawak Chinese Association were the members of Sarawak Alliance. During the 1970 Sarawak state election, Parti Bumiputera won 12 seats while SCA won 3 seats out of a total of 48 seats. However, not a single party command a majority in Council Negri (now Sarawak State Legislative Assembly). Abdul Rahman from Parti Bumiputera was able to convince SUPP to form a state government with him as the chief minister.

Formation of PBB

Parti Bumiputera had already initiated negotiations with PESAKA about the merger of both parties in 1968. However, PESAKA refused to enter into a merger in fear that Muslim bumiputera members from Parti Bumiputera would dominate the new party, leaving its Iban and Bidayuh members sidelined. PESAKA decided to join Sarawak Alliance without a merger to preserve their interests in Sarawak politics. However, in the 1970 state election, PESAKA won only 8 seats, whereas 12 seats were won by Parti Bumiputera and another 12 seats by SNAP. PESAKA was not able to nominate a new chief minister from their own party unlike in 1966. Ultimately another negotiation was held between PESAKA and Parti Bumiputera in September 1972 and both sides eventually agreed to a merger on 5 January 1973. The new Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu party was then officially registered on 30 April 1973.

The party was divided into two wings namely:

• BUMIPUTERA wing which consisted of Muslim-Malay, Melanau, Kedayan, Brunei-Malay, Jatti Mereik, and Orang Ulu members
• PESAKA wing which consisted of Iban, Bidayuh, Kenyah, and Kelabit members

Ideology

Objectives of PBB

• To fully protect and defend Sarawak independence, sovereignty, and all community in Sarawak.
• To uphold both the federal and Sarawak constitution.
• To combating and fight against corruption activities, racism, money laundering, and political power abuse among all party's members.
• To protect and defend the principles enshrined in the federal and region constitution, especially on position, fundamental rights, and special privileges of Bumiputera in Sarawak.
• To protect the future rights of Malay Bumiputera in Sarawak, and Malaysia overall.
• To protect and strengthen the rights of all Dayak community, especially Iban, Bidayuh and Orang Ulu in Sarawak.
• To develop all Sarawakians to work and build together to modernised in all various fields, mostly in education, sports, politic, financial and business, social, youth and women empowerment, culture & arts, science and technology, regional development projects, public infrastructure projects, and public services.
• To promote and protect the feeling of harmony and unity spirits of all Sarawakians towards creating a strong united multiracial region in Sarawak.
• To develop Sarawak as a peaceful, modernised, higher integrity, very high income, and greatest region in Malaysia.
• To promoting the harmonious, multicultural, peace and prosperous Sarawak to all community in Malaysia and also to around the world.
• To protect the rule of Sarawak democracy systems, and Malaysia parliamentary democracy.
• To protect, strengthen, and fully giving justice for the region of Sarawak, as based on Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
• To support and defend the United Nations' charter.
• To take effective steps in eradicating any subversive movements and dangerous situations which could compromise Malaysia's security and Sarawak's rights.

The meaning of "Bumiputera"

Main article: Bumiputera (Malaysia)

Bumiputera is a Malaysian political term and literally translates to son of earth. Being mentioned in the party's name, this directly relates to the ethnic groups that are seen as native to the state of Sarawak. Members of the party are solely of Sarawak Bumiputera ethnicity. In article 161a of the Federal Constitution of Malaysia, 21 ethnic groups are classified as "rakyat peribumi Sarawak" (natives of Sarawak), among these are the Ibans, Bidayuhs, Melanaus, Orang Ulus and several other Dayak people, as well as local Muslim-Malays of Sarawak.

Organisational structure

The party structure of PBB is in many ways resembles to that of the national party United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) due to the influence exerted by Abdul Rahman Ya'kub. PBB has four levels of bureaucracy namely:

• General Assembly (similar to UMNO General Assembly)
• Supreme Council (similar to UMNO Supreme Council)
• Branches (set up in each state constituencies in Sarawak, similar to UMNO divisions which is set up in each parliamentary constituency in Malaysia except for the state of Sarawak.)
• Sub-branches (similar to UMNO branches)
• Each level will have its own youth and women wings

The party's general assembly is held every 3 years to assemble all party leaders and grassroot members to discuss party policies, responsibility of Supreme Council, and to elect party leaders into Supreme Council but does not influence party directions and policies. The party constitution was amended so that "the party's system of representation of at general assemblies in line with the system used by UMNO". Therefore, a chairman will be in-charge of the general assembly, allowing the party president take an active role during the assembly. The party's first ever general assembly was held from 13 to 14 July 1974, less than a month before the 1974 Malaysian general election. All the party's top posts were not contested at that time. In this general assembly, Abang Abu Bakar and Salleh Jafaruddin (Rahman's nephew) from bumiputera wing were elected to the party's executive committee. Alfred Jabu Numpang, from PESAKA wing was also elected to become youth chief of the party. He would later become deputy chief minister of Sarawak under the chieftainship of Taib Mahmud.

The Supreme Council consisted of:

• Yang di-Pertua (also known as President)
• Deputy Yang di-Pertua (also known as Deputy President)
• Vice-Yang di-Pertuas (also known as Vice-Presidents, consisted of 9 people)
• Secretary-General
• Deputy Secretary-General
• Assistant Secretary-General (5 people)
• Treasurer
• Assistant Treasurer
• Publicity Chief
• Assistant Publicity Chief
• Elected Executive Committee members (20 people)
• Appointed Executive Committee members (11 people)

During the formation of PBB, both Parti Bumiputera and PESAKA agreed to elect a PESAKA leader to become the president of the party. The party had 7 Vice-Presidents instead of the current 9 members. 4 Vice-President posts will be given to Bumiputera wing while 3 will be given to PESAKA wing. The Secretary-General post will be given to Bumiputera wing while Assistant Secretary-General posts will be divided among Bumiputera wing (1 person) and PESAKA wing (3 people). The rest of the party posts were given to Bumiputera wing while the Youth Chief post will be given to PESAKA wing.

Supreme Council (2025–2028)

Source:

• Chairman:
  • Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar
• President:
  • Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Abang Openg
• Deputy President (Pesaka Wing):
  • Douglas Uggah Embas
• Deputy President (Bumiputera Wing):
  • Awang Tengah Ali Hasan
• Senior Vice-President (Pesaka Wing):
  • Stephen Rundi Utom
• Senior Vice-President (Bumiputera Wing):
  • Fadillah Yusof
• Vice-Presidents (Pesaka Wing):
  • Roland Sagah Wee Inn
  • Gerawat Gala
  • Gerald Rentap Jabu
• Vice-Presidents (Bumiputera Wing):
  • Ibrahim Baki
  • Julaihi Narawi
  • Annuar Rapaee
  • Len Talif Salleh
• Women's Wing Chief:
  • Fatimah Abdullah
• Youth Wing Chief:
  • Martin Ben
• Secretary-General:
  • Alexander Nanta Linggi
• Deputy Secretary-General:
  • Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman
• Assistant Secretaries-General:
  • Hasbi Habibollah
  • Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali
  • Hamzah Brahim
  • Miro Simuh
  • Maurice Joannes Giri
• Treasurer:
  • Abdul Rahman Junaidi
• Assistant Treasurer:
  • Ripin Lamat
• Information Chief:
  • Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah
• Assistant Information Chief:
  • Philip Raja
• Law Advisor:
  • Awang Bemee Awang Ali Basah
• Elected Supreme Council Members (Bumiputera Wing):
  • Yusuf Abd Wahab
  • Aidel Lariwoo
  • Abdul Yakub Arbi
  • Mohamad Duri
  • Shafiee Ahmad
  • Abdullah Saidol
  • Ricky @ Mohammad Razi Sitam
  • Awla Dris
  • Razaili Gapor
  • Haidar Khan Asghar Khan
  • Ahmad Ibrahim
  • Iskandar Turkee
  • Awangku Jinal Abedin Pengiran Jawa
  • Sulhie Salleh
  • Syed Hamzah Wan Hamid Edruce
  • Julaihi Mohamad
• Elected Supreme Council Members (Pesaka Wing):
  • Jefferson Jamit Unyat
  • Lidam Assan
  • John Ilus
  • Michael Mujah Lihan
  • Richard Rapu @ Aman Begri
  • Simon Sinang Bada
  • Willie Mongin
  • Daniel Jubang
  • Paulus Palu Gumbang
  • Jerip Susil
  • Dennis Ngau
  • Henry Sum Agong
  • Leonard Jambu
  • Jawan Nyaun
• Appointed Supreme Council Members (Bumiputera Wing):
  • Abdul Rahman Ismail
  • Idris Buang
  • Lukanisman Awang Sauni
  • Ahmad Johnie Zawawi
  • Hazland Abang Hipni
  • Juanda Jaya
  • Azizul Annuar Adenan
  • Mohd Naroden Majais
  • Dayang Nurfizawati Abang Abdul Karim
• Appointed Supreme Council Members (Pesaka Wing):
  • William Mawan Ikom
  • Nuing Jeluing
  • Paulus Dandee Banyang
  • Romeo Christopher Tegong
  • Lesley Luyoh Akah
  • Wejok Tomik
  • Jampi Tutong
  • Fred Entau
  • Barnabas Kulor Kaoz Djunior
  • Patrict Anak Miden
  • Adison Langgar Injan
• Women Representatives in the Supreme Council:
  • Angelina Ujang
  • Nancy Shukri
  • Umang Nangku Jabu
  • Rubiah Wang
  • Dayang Noorazah Awang Sohor
• Youth Representatives in the Supreme Council:
  • Anderson Lah
  • Sufian Mohat
  • Martin Ngindang Richard Mullok
  • Afiq Fikri Brahim
  • Lyokarto Sikong

Leadership

Yang di-Pertua (President)

After the formation of PBB, Temenggong Jugah Barieng was appointed as the first president of the PBB while Taib Mahmud was appointed deputy president and Abdul Rahman Ya'kub was appointed the secretary-general of the party. In September 1975, Abdul Rahman suddenly announced his retirement from politics due to criticisms to his administration of the Sarawak state. Few weeks later, Temenggong Jugah also announced his retirement as the president of PBB. In October 1975, Taib Mahmud was appointed to the president of PBB to fill the vacancy left by Temenggong Jugah while Leonard Linggi, the son of Temenggong Jugah, was appointed to the secretary-general post, replacing Abdul Rahman. However, Abdul Rahman remained as the executive member of PBB and the leader of Sarawak Barisan Nasional (BN). Alfred Jabu moved his rank to the deputy president post while Celestine Ujang fill the youth chief post left vacant by Alfred Jabu.

Two months later, Abdul Rahman changed his mind while he announced that he would not retire in the next five years. Abdul Rahman decided to take over the PBB presidency from Taib. For Taib, this was a dilemma but all the other party posts have been occupied. Taib demanded his uncle Abdul Rahman to create another deputy president post for him by changing the party constitution. Finally during the 1977 PBB general assembly meeting, another deputy president post was created and given to Taib while Abdul Rahman became the president of the party.

Rahman retired from politics on 26 March 1981 and his nephew Taib Mahmud succeeded him as the PBB president for the second time. After holding the post for 33 years, Taib Mahmud retired from politics while allowing his former brother-in-law, Adenan Satem to take over the party on 1 March 2014 and he would hold the post until his death on 11 January 2017.

Following the death of Adenan Satem, Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Abang Openg was appointed as the 6th President of PBB on 13 January 2017.

Elected representatives

Dewan Negara (Senate)

Senators

Main article: Members of the Dewan Negara, 15th Malaysian Parliament

Dewan Negara (Senate)

• His Majesty's appointee:
  • Awang Bemee Awang Ali Basah
  • Susan Chemarai Anding
• Elected by the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly:
  • Ahmad Ibrahim
  • Michael Mujah Lihan

Dewan Rakyat (House of Representatives)

Members of Parliament of the 15th Malaysian Parliament

Main article: Members of the Dewan Rakyat, 15th Malaysian Parliament

PBB has 14 MPs in the House of Representatives.

Dewan Undangan Negeri (State Legislative Assembly)

Malaysian State Assembly Representatives

Main article: List of Malaysian State Assembly Representatives (2022–present)

Sarawak State Legislative Assembly

Government offices

State governments

PBB and its predecessors PESAKA and BUMIPUTERA has led the Sarawak state government since 1966, before which they were junior partner under SNAP-led government.

• Sarawak (1973–present)

PBB precursors:

• BUMIPUTERA (1967–1970, 1970–1973)
• PESAKA (1962–1966, 1966–1970, 1970–1973)
• BARJASA (1962–1967)
• PANAS (1965–1967)

Note: bold as Premier/Chief Minister, italic as junior partner

Legislative leadership

Federal ministerial posts

Election results

General election results

State election results

References

Notes

• Chin, James. 2003: The Melanau-Malay Schism Erupts Again: Sarawak at the Polls. In: New Politics in Malaysia. Lok Kok Wah / Johan Saravanamuttu, Singapore: Institute of South East Asian Studies (), pp. 213–227
• James Chin. “The More Things Change, The More They Remain The Same”, in Chin Kin Wah & D. Singh (eds.) South East Asian Affairs 2004 (Singapore: Institute of South East Asian Studies, 2004)
• James Chin. “Autonomy: Politics in Sarawak” in Bridget Welsh (ed) Reflections: The Mahathir Years, (Washington DC: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2004) pp. 240–251

References

1. (12 June 2018). "Sarawak BN parties pull out of coalition to form independent state-based pact". The Star.
2. (October 1963). "Elections in Sarawak". University of California Press.
3. 978-981-4311-58-8. Google Book Search. Retrieved 23 June 2014.
4. (18 May 2025). "Senarai penuh Majlis Kerja Tertinggi (MKT) PBB sesi 2025–2028".