6 Things You Should Know About Abang Johari Openg, Sarawak's 6th CM
Aged 66, he is a nine-term assemblyman for Satok.
By Sadho Ram — 13 Jan 2017, 03:21 PM
After the unexpected death of Sarawak CM Adenan Satem, the selection of the next chief minister of Malaysia's largest state was just confirmed, as there is no provision in the state laws for an acting chief minister. Below, we list down all you need to know.
1. Sarawak's new Chief Minister is Abang Johari Openg
Replacing the widely loved Adenan Satem, who passed away from heart complications on Wednesday, Abang Johari Openg is now the sixth Chief Minister of Sarawak.
Prior to being appointed as the new CM, he was deputy chief minister 2 under Adenan.
2. He is the Deputy President of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera (PBB)
Apart from being the Deputy President, Abang Johari is the most senior in the party compared to his counterparts. His post as Deputy CM came from the Bumiputera wing.
There are two wings in PBB, Bumiputera and Pesaka, which is represented by Douglas Uggah Embas, Deputy CM 1. Abang's selection was natural because there are more seats for Bumiputera and in politics numbers are what matters the most.
3. Abang Johari had been considered for the CM post in 2014
Yep.
Abang Johari, who has a party loyal throughout his life did he revolt when he was not given the CM post in 2014, despite being senior to Adenan Satem.
When Adenan Satem was appointed as Sarawak's fifth Chief Minister, they came to a compromise and negotiation and Abang Johari decided to step aside to make way for Adenan after Abdul Taib Mahmud, who served as CM for 33 long years, stepped down.
4. He is 66-year-old and is a 9-term assemblyman for Satok
Abang Johari has been in politics for over three decades. He first contested the assemblyman seat for Satok in 1981. He served as political secretary to Abdul Taib Mahmud when the latter was CM of Sarawak.
Following his entry into politics, the nine-term assemblyman for Satok was appointed as Assistant Minister of Regional and Social Development in March 1984, and three years later, as State Agriculture and Community Development Minister.
5. Abang Johari was the state BN Campaign Director for the Sarawak elections last May and defended all of PBB's 40 seats
Fondly known as Abang Jo, he is a seasoned politician who has political acumen and is well-respected by Sarawak BN component parties, according to Assoc Prof Dr Jeniri Amir of Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas)
"He can work well with party leaders," The Star Online quoted the professor as saying.
6. His father was the first governor of Sarawak
Abang Johari, who has 10 siblings, hails from an illustrious Sarawakian family.
His father, Tun Abang Haji Openg, was the first Yang di-Pertua Negeri Sarawak (Governor of Sarawak), upon the independence of Sarawak from Great Britain and formation of Malaysia on 16 September 1963.
