This is according to a source within the state’s administration, who said her name was proposed to the leaders of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), the party led by Adenan since 2014.
“Jamilah is the leading candidate because of many reasons, one of which is that she is a familiar face to the constituents,” the source told FMT.
If that happens, Jamilah would be the third woman within the span of one year to contest for a seat left vacant by a death of a husband.
The first was Irene Chang, who won Bukit Assek state seat which was held by her husband, the late Sarawak DAP chairman Wong Ho Leng. Wong died from cancer in 2014.
The latest was Mastura Mohd Yazid. She had no previous experience in politics, but bagged the Kuala Kangsar by-election last year.
Her husband, Wan Mohammad Khair-il Anuar Wan, died in a helicopter crash just days before the May 7 Sarawak election.
Jamilah is well known for her charitable and voluntary work. She was reported to have contributed greatly in the areas of education, health, and environment, among others.
The 61-year-old is also popular with the people of Sarawak who are familiar with her, having seen the affection between Jamilah and Adenan.
Meanwhile, the New Sunday Times in a report today quoted sources close to PBB as saying that the party has identified five candidates for the by-election.
Two of the possible candidates were Adenan’s son Abdul Aziz, 44, and Jamilah, whom political analyst Dr Jeniri Amir said embodied the figure of a strong individual even through trying times.
“She is a familiar face not only to the people in Tanjung Datu, but also to Sarawak folk,” he told the New Sunday Times.
Sources quoted by the daily also said the other three potential candidates were Adenan’s confidantes who have helped resolve issues affecting Tanjung Datu.
Adenan died from heart complications last Wednesday. He had led the Sarawak BN to a landslide victory in the state election, securing 71 out 82 state seats. He won Tanjung Datu seat with a majority of 5,892 votes.