KUCHING: As Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) prepares for its 16th Triennial General Assembly (TGM), its deputy secretary-general Datuk Ibrahim Baki has set his sights on playing a more significant role in shaping the party’s direction, should he be elected as one of its vice presidents.
“If I am elected, of course, the responsibility will be bigger. I am committed to upholding the party’s struggles, and my role would be to help our leaders—perhaps in devising policies and charting the way forward,” he said.
Beyond policy, Ibrahim stressed the importance of engagement at the grassroots level.
“At the same time, I believe in being more active on the ground, listening to the heartbeat of our members and, of course, the rakya’,” he asserted.
The Satok assemblyman, who has been a dedicated PBB member for nearly four decades, initially had no intention of contesting.
However, overwhelming support from colleagues and party members who nominated him led him to reconsider.
“When a lot of colleagues and friends encouraged me, and there were significant nominations, I didn’t want to disappoint them. So, I offered myself (to contest),” he revealed.
His political journey in PBB began in 1985 when he served as a youth leader at the branch level.
By 1987, he was elected into the party’s state youth wing, holding various leadership positions over 15 years, including secretary-general and deputy chief of the youth wing.
He later assumed the role of Supreme Council member and currently serves as PBB deputy secretary-general while also holding the position of treasurer-general of Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) and GPS chief whip in the Sarawak Legislative Assembly.
Despite his vast experience, Ibrahim remains humble about his candidacy.
“How confident am I? Well, I leave that to the delegates. I can’t say I’m overconfident, nor can I say I lack confidence. The decision lies with them,” he said.
He added that PBB’s unity, discipline, and commitment to serving the people remain paramount, emphasising that internal elections are not about personal glory.
“Winning or losing is not an issue in PBB. As our Premier often says, ‘pangkat dan darjat bukan dikejar’—we don’t chase after ranks and titles,” he remarked.
Reflecting on past party elections, Ibrahim pointed out that even those who lost in party elections remained steadfast in their commitment to PBB.
Noting that there will be no animosity, he cited the Malay proverb, saying, “ombak berlalu, kiambang bertaut.”
“After the elections, we close ranks and move forward together,” he said, adding that the party election will be held in a familial spirit.
With a strong foundation in law and corporate governance, Ibrahim believes his background equips him to contribute meaningfully to the party’s leadership.
“Forty years in the party, a legal and corporate background—I stand ready to serve,” he added.
The PBB TGM, which runs from Feb 14 to 16 at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK), will see six candidates vying for the party’s four Bumiputera Vice President seats.
Ibrahim and deputy minister Datuk Len Talif Salleh enter the race as new challengers, while incumbents Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi, Datuk Dr Annuar Rapaee, and Datuk Seri Julaihi Narawi seek to defend their positions.
