Resistance from within PBB to the proposed candidacy of Sarawak Governor Abdul Taib Mahmud’s youngest daughter started soon after and has only heightened ahead of the May 9 polls (GE14).

This is because there are too many suitors for the seat, including many qualified locals.

The names include those of three PhD holders, Anthony Valentine Laiseh and Sulaiman Hussein, who are both senior government officers, and businessman Maliki Mahli.

The name of Paul Drus, a well-known entrepreneur, has also been mentioned.

Mukah is in the Melanau bastion of PBB.

A scramble for the seat ensued after long-time MP Leo Michael Toyad’s announcement two years ago that he was retiring from politics and would not be defending Mukah in GE14.

Hanifah Taib is actually a latecomer to the scene as lobbying by the others started two years ago.

PBB president and Chief Minister Abang Johari Openg is said to be caught in a quandary over her apparent interest in contesting in Mukah.

Universiti Malaysia Sarawak associate professor Jeniri Amir said it would be better for the party to choose a local in Mukah for the seat.

“There are many qualified and capable PBB leaders in Mukah and the protest against Hanifah’s proposed candidacy is because she is considered an ‘outsider’ as she was not born in Mukah and had never stayed there,” he said.

According to Jeniri, the resistance is serious as posters and banners rejecting Hanifah had been publicly displayed in Mukah over the past few months.

A petition, signed by 599 Mukah voters, was also sent to the prime minister and chief minister.

However, Hanifah will still win if nominated despite the resistance as the Melanau are hardcore BN supporters, added Jeniri, who is himself a Melanau from Mukah.

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