Wahab Dolah Explained

Honorific-Prefix:Yang Berbahagia Datuk
Wahab Dolah
Birth Name:Wahab bin Dolah
Birth Date:15 November 1950
Birth Place:Matu-Daro, Crown Colony of Sarawak
Constituency Mp:Igan, Sarawak
Parliament:Malaysian
Term Start:8 March 2008
Term End:7 April 2018
Predecessor:Constituency established
Successor:Ahmad Johnie Zawawi
Office2:Member of the Malaysian Parliament for Kuala Rajang, Sarawak
Term Start2:2004
Term End2:2008
Predecessor2:Mohd Effendi Norwawi
Successor2:Constituency abolished
Citizenship:Malaysian
Party:PBBBarisan Nasional
Occupation:Politician
Profession:Engineer
Spouse:Raesah Adai
Alma Mater:University of Western Australia
Native Name:Malay: {{Script|Arab|وهب دولة

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]

Early life, education and career

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 an 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

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 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]

Notes and References

  1. News: Abdul Wahab bin Haji Dolah, Y.B. Datuk Haji. Parliament of Malaysia. Malay. 18 April 2010.
  2. Web site: Malaysian Companies & Businesses Directory. 2020-07-16. Malaysia Companies & Businesses Directory. en.
  3. Web site: Ta Ann Group Sa'id Bin Haji Dolah. 2020-07-16. en.
  4. Web site: e-borneo.com - Borneo Information and Travel Specialist and Trip Advisor. 2020-07-17. www.e-borneo.com.
  5. Web site: Kawi. Oleh Mohd Roji. 2019-07-16. Wahab Dolah pengerusi baharu ASSAR. 2020-07-16. BH Online. ms.
  6. Web site: Reporters. F. M. T.. 2018-01-19. Only token resistance expected in BN stronghold Igan. 2020-07-17. Free Malaysia Today. en-GB.
  7. Web site: New Straits Times - Google News Archive Search. 2020-07-17. news.google.com.
  8. News: Abdullah denies Taib Mahmud has resigned. 3 March 2004. Utusan. 18 April 2010.
  9. News: New Cabinet posts created in Sarawak. Siang. Tan Chin. 11 September 1992. New Straits Times. New Straits Times Press. 18 April 2010.
  10. News: SUPP wants one more state minister's post. 1 April 2004. The Star. Star Publications (Malaysia). 18 April 2010.
  11. News: BN wins six seats uncontested in Sarawak. Wong. Jack. 13 March 2004. The Star. Star Publications (Malaysia). 18 April 2010.
  12. News: Another withdrawal, another uncontested BN win. Ling. Sharon. 26 February 2008. The Star. Star Publications (Malaysia). 18 April 2010.
  13. News: BN's Wahab Wins Igan After Independent Candidate Withdraws. 26 February 2008. Malaysia Today. 18 April 2010.
  14. Web site: Election Results. Election Commission of Malaysia. 21 November 2014.