Awang Tengah seen as likely successor to Johari as Sarawak premier

Sarawak deputy premier Awang Tengah Ali Hassan is the frontrunner to assume the role of Sarawak premier should current premier Abang Johari Openg step down, according to political analysts. Johari has hinted at potentially relinquishing his position after the next state election, having served as premier since January 2017.

Political analyst Jayum Jawan of the Academy of Sciences Malaysia explained that Awang Tengah, the deputy president of the dominant Bumiputera wing of the Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), would be the logical successor based on party tradition. He noted that former deputy presidents from the Bumiputera wing typically become the natural successors to the party presidency.

James Chin of the University of Tasmania mentioned several names as potential successors, but emphasized that the final decision would depend on consensus within PBB, the GPS party, and majority support. He also pointed out that the new premier should demonstrate a strong pro-Sarawak sentiment. Both analysts noted that there is a strong likelihood of an orderly transfer of power due to PBB's established intra-party discipline.