PARTI PERPADUAN KEBANGSAN BRUNEI PRESIDENT IS TO RETIRE
By Rosli Abidin Yahya

Bandar Seri Begawan – The President of Parti Perpaduan Kebangsaan Brunei (PPKB), Awang Haji Mohd Hatta bin Haji Zainal Abidin is to retire from active politics forever.

There is no specific reason for his decision to retire from politics after leading the political party into the millennium as its president since 1998.

Haji Mohd Hatta is now seen spending time in a mosque in Kuala Belait for his daily congregational prayers as well as running errands executing his business deals in that district.

An exclusive interview with the News Express is on the pipeline in the near future, regarding Haji Mohd Hatta’s decision to retire so the general public is well-informed.

Haji Mohd Hatta is actually the founder of the political party, which was registered in 1985 when he was elected the first secretary- general in its first congress in that year.

The party became largely inactive after 1988.

The party was revived in 1995 when Awang Haji Abd Latiff bin Chuchu became its next president and Haji Mohd Hatta, the deputy.

The political party once again had to be revived in 1998 by Haji Mohd Hatta when he was elected the pres­ident, a position he holds until now.

But, the party was involved in an internal feud and a power struggle in July last year, a few months before the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit here.

The power struggle was seen much earlier when Haji Mohd Hatta leadership was challenged during the party’s congress in February 2000.

Awang Haji Mohd Hatta retained the presidency after a narrow win against his challenger. Awang Haji Osman bin Haji Omar by polling 16 votes to 14.

Awang Haji Osman was then elected the party’s deputy president.

The internal feud continued with statements after statements being released into the local press by some of the party’s dissatisfied supreme council members.

The most vocal of them all was the ex-Youth Wing Leader, Awang Haji Emran bin Haji Yahya and the ex-Secretary General, Pengiran Shahminan bin Pengiran Haji Ismail.

Awang Haji Mohd Hatta respond­ed by suspending several members of the supreme council.

The feud reached its climax when 20 members resigned simul­taneously at a function held in Crowne Princess Hotel Restaurant, Mile 1, Jalan Tutong when the nation celebrated the National Day on February 23 this year, a year after the last congress.

Those who resigned from the party included the Deputy President, Awang Haji Osman bin Haji Omar, one former Deputy President, Awang Haji Abd Rahman bin Yussof two Vice Presidents, Awang Haji Yussof bin Haji Tahlil, Awang Haji Johari bin Pehin Dato haji Omar, the Secretary General, Pengiran Shahminan bin Pengiran Haji Ismail, and the Head of Youth Movement, Awang Haji Emran bin Haji Yahya.

The heads of several bureaus also gave their resignation letters.

Several reasons were cited for the massive resignations such as the loss of confidence and broken promise in the party’s leadership, and Haji Mohd Hatta “failing” miserably in executing his duties and responsibilities as the party president to unite the leaders and members.

A few weeks ago several mem­bers rejoined the party but their applications have yet to be approved by Awang Haji Mohd Hatta.

Apart from PPKB, another polit­ical party is also making its mark in this country.

Parti Kesedaran Rakyat Brunei (PAKAR) was registered on May 9, 2000. Previously several politi­cal parties also existed.

They include Brunei People’s Party or PRB (banned in 1962) and Brunei National Democratic Party (registered in May 1965, deregis­tered in 1988).

Meanwhile, Awang Haji Mohd Zaide bin Haji Damit, the Vice President of PAKAR said the pub­lic must accept and respect Haji Mohd Hatta’s decision to resign.

He said Haji Mohd Hatta must have a valid reason to retire perma­nently from active politics.

“I respect Haji Mohd Hatta in his leadership and ability to lead the party into the Millennium.

Courtesy of News Express