Wahab bin Dolah (born 15 November 1950) is a Malaysian politician. He was the Member of the Parliament of Malaysia for the Igan constituency in Sarawak, representing the United Traditional Bumiputera Party (PBB) in the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition.[1]

Wahab Dolah
وهب دولة
Member of the Malaysian Parliament
for Igan, Sarawak
In office
8 March 2008 – 7 April 2018
Preceded byConstituency established
Succeeded byAhmad Johnie Zawawi
Member of the Malaysian Parliament for Kuala Rajang, Sarawak
In office
2004–2008
Preceded byMohd Effendi Norwawi
Succeeded byConstituency abolished
Personal details
Born
Wahab bin Dolah

(1950-11-15) 15 November 1950 (age 74)
Matu-Daro, Crown Colony of Sarawak
CitizenshipMalaysian
Political partyPBBBarisan Nasional
SpouseRaesah Adai
Alma materUniversity of Western Australia
OccupationPolitician
ProfessionEngineer

Early life, education and career

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Wahab Dolah was born on 15 November 1950 at Kampung Tian, Matu, Sarawak. He had nine siblings namely Rapiah, Jemani, Jamilah, Telaman, Ali Mat,[2] Mariam, Nasibah and Sa'id.[3] He firstly began his primary education at Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Bawang Tian, Matu before furthering his studies in different secondary schools such as Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Luar Bandar Sibu, Sibu, SMK Penghulu Kedit, Kanowit and Kolej Tun Datuk Tuanku Haji Bujang in Tanjung Lobang, Miri.

He later pursued his higher education at University of Western Australia (under the Colombo Plan scholarship[4]) and graduated in 1969 with a bachelor's degree of Civil Engineering.[5]

After finishing his studies, Wahab firstly worked at Jabatan Kerja Raya (JKR) as a Regional Engineer in Sarikei until 1975. In 1976, Wahab was appointed as production manager at Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation (STIDC) until 1977. His big break came when he ventured to the private sector by working at a company known as WHS Consultant (Civil Engineering Consultant Firm) from 1978 until 1984.

Political career

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Whilst working at the WHS Consultant firm, Wahab was courted by Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu's (PBB) party leadership, to contest the Sarawak 4th state elections in 1984 for the N.24 Matu-Daro state constituency. Being regarded as a prominent public figure in his hometown, Wahab won the seat uncontested in 1984.

For the next 4 state elections (1986, 1991, 1996 and 2001), Wahab successfully retain his seat as its representative [5] after beating former Chief Minister of Sarawak and Yang di-Pertua Negeri, Abdul Rahman Ya'kub with a majority of 1625 votes.[6][7]

Before entering the federal Parliament, Wahab was active in Sarawak state politics, serving as a State Assemblyman for the seat of Matu-Daro from 1984,[8] and as a member of the Sarawak Cabinet.[9] He resigned from the State Cabinet in 2004,[10] when he was elected to federal Parliament for the seat of Kuala Rajang.[11] In the 2008 election he moved to the newly created seat of Igan.[12] Both his 2004 and 2008 elections were unopposed.[13] In 2013, he faced his first electoral opposition, a Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS) candidate whom he defeated with almost 87% of the vote.[14]

References

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  1. ^ "Abdul Wahab bin Haji Dolah, Y.B. Datuk Haji" (in Malay). Parliament of Malaysia. Retrieved 18 April 2010.
  2. ^ "Malaysian Companies & Businesses Directory". Malaysia Companies & Businesses Directory. Retrieved 16 July 2020.
  3. ^ "Ta Ann Group Sa'id Bin Haji Dolah". Retrieved 16 July 2020.
  4. ^ "e-borneo.com - Borneo Information and Travel Specialist and Trip Advisor". www.e-borneo.com. Retrieved 17 July 2020.
  5. ^ a b Kawi, Oleh Mohd Roji (16 July 2019). "Wahab Dolah pengerusi baharu ASSAR". BH Online (in Malay). Retrieved 16 July 2020.
  6. ^ Reporters, F. M. T. (19 January 2018). "Only token resistance expected in BN stronghold Igan". Free Malaysia Today. Retrieved 17 July 2020.
  7. ^ "New Straits Times - Google News Archive Search". news.google.com. Retrieved 17 July 2020.
  8. ^ "Abdullah denies Taib Mahmud has resigned". Utusan. 3 March 2004. Retrieved 18 April 2010.
  9. ^ Siang, Tan Chin (11 September 1992). "New Cabinet posts created in Sarawak". New Straits Times. New Straits Times Press. Retrieved 18 April 2010.
  10. ^ "SUPP wants one more state minister's post". The Star. Star Publications (Malaysia). 1 April 2004. Retrieved 18 April 2010.
  11. ^ Wong, Jack (13 March 2004). "BN wins six seats uncontested in Sarawak". The Star. Star Publications (Malaysia). Retrieved 18 April 2010.
  12. ^ Ling, Sharon (26 February 2008). "Another withdrawal, another uncontested BN win". The Star. Star Publications (Malaysia). Retrieved 18 April 2010.
  13. ^ "BN's Wahab Wins Igan After Independent Candidate Withdraws". Malaysia Today. 26 February 2008. Retrieved 18 April 2010.
  14. ^ "Election Results". Election Commission of Malaysia. Retrieved 21 November 2014.