Henry Harry Jinep

Summary

Datuk Henry Harry Jinep is the two-term Tasik Biru state assemblyman for PDP under the GPS coalition, first elected in 2016 and re-elected in 2021, and currently serves as Sarawak's Deputy Transport Minister (Maritime and Riverine). A Bidayuh from Bau district with a background in business, he has risen to the position of PDP deputy president and is a consistent advocate for rural transport access, GPS coalition unity, and greater seat representation for PDP within Sarawak's ruling coalition.

Biography

Datuk Henry Harry Jinep (also styled Henry @ Harry Anak Jinep) is a Bidayuh politician from Sarawak who has served as the Member of the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly (ADUN) for Tasik Biru (N.02) since first being elected in May 2016 [1]. He contested his inaugural election on a Barisan Nasional ticket under the Progressive Democratic Party (PDP), then a BN component party, winning with 6,922 votes and a majority of 1,288 votes over DAP candidate Mordi Bimoi [2]. Following the 2018 general election, PDP — along with three other Sarawak BN component parties — withdrew from the BN coalition in June 2018 to form Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), of which PDP remains a component [1]. Henry was re-elected to Tasik Biru in the 12th Sarawak State Election on 18 December 2021, running under the GPS banner and obtaining 6,325 votes (33.8%) in a four-cornered contest, with a majority of 4,212 votes [3]. Prior to entering politics, he was described as a businessman, referred to by the New Straits Times in 2016 as a 'corporate man' with plans to uplift rural livelihoods [4]. Sinar Harian has reported that he is known as a successful Bidayuh entrepreneur with several companies [1]. Within PDP, he has risen from vice-president (as confirmed in 2021–2022) to deputy president (as confirmed from 2023 onward) [5]. He holds the position of Sarawak Deputy Transport Minister (Maritime and Riverine), a role in which he has been active since at least early 2023 [6]. He holds the title Datuk, conferred through a Sarawak state honour [7].

Known for

Henry Harry Jinep is known as the two-term Tasik Biru assemblyman representing the Bidayuh community within GPS-PDP, and as Sarawak's Deputy Transport Minister (Maritime and Riverine) overseeing riverine and maritime transport policy for a state where river travel is a primary mode of access for rural communities [8]. He is a vocal advocate within PDP for the party to receive greater seat allocation within the GPS coalition, arguing that a stronger, unified PDP will secure more representation for its base [9]. He has also been an active voice on the Greater Bau development initiative and the administration of Bau district, the area encompassing his Tasik Biru constituency [10].

Political positions

Henry Harry Jinep has consistently positioned himself as a pro-government representative who believes that Sarawak's rural communities benefit most from being represented by the ruling GPS coalition. He has argued that constituencies under opposition representation experience reduced infrastructure development, and has framed GPS participation as essential for rural progress [10][11]. On transport policy, he has advocated for the extension of the federal Budi95 targeted fuel subsidy to river-dependent boat owners in Sarawak who lack driving licences, framing it as critical relief for low-income rural families [9][12]. He has defended the post-2017 relaxation of Malaysia's cabotage policy, pushing back against claims that it contributes to higher goods prices in Sarawak and calling for better public education on the issue [6][13]. On administrative boundaries, he has firmly stated that villages in the Singai area will remain under Bau district administration under the Greater Bau initiative, rejecting claims of boundary changes [10][14]. Within GPS, he has maintained a clear stance that Sarawak-based parties should not involve themselves in the politics of other states, including Sabah elections [9][15]. On PDP's internal positioning, he has advocated for a unified party as the means to negotiate for a greater share of seats within the GPS coalition framework [9][16].

Before politics

1. Pre-2016Prior to entering politics, Henry Harry Jinep was described as a businessman and 'corporate man'. Sinar Harian reported he is known as a successful Bidayuh entrepreneur who owns several companies.⛓

Political career

1. May 2016First elected as Tasik Biru assemblyman (N.02) in the 11th Sarawak State Election, contesting under the BN ticket as PDP's candidate. Won with 6,922 votes against DAP's Mordi Bimoi (5,634 votes), with a majority of 1,288 votes.⛓
2. June 2018PDP, along with PBB, SUPP, and PRS, withdrew from the Barisan Nasional coalition following the GE14 result, forming Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS).⛓
3. December 2021Re-elected as Tasik Biru assemblyman in the 12th Sarawak State Election under the GPS banner. Obtained 6,325 votes (33.8%) in a four-cornered contest, winning with a majority of 4,212 votes.⛓
4. 2022–2023Appointed Sarawak Deputy Transport Minister (Maritime and Riverine) under Minister Datuk Seri Lee Kim Shin, a role in which he has been active and publicly reported from at least early 2023.⛓
5. 2023–2026Identified in multiple news reports as PDP deputy president, advocating for greater seat allocation for PDP within the GPS coalition framework.⛓

Election history

• 2021Tasik Biru (N.02), SarawakWon33.8%⛓
• 2016Tasik Biru (N.02), SarawakWon55%⛓

Perspectives on key issues

• GovernmentHenry Harry Jinep, as Sarawak Deputy Transport Minister (Maritime and Riverine) and PDP deputy president, has publicly championed the Budi95 fuel subsidy extension for river-dependent communities, overseen Sarawak River navigation studies, and defended the state's cabotage policy position. He represents the GPS government's position that rural development is best served through alignment with the ruling coalition.⛓
• OppositionIn the 2016 Tasik Biru contest, DAP candidate Mordi Bimoi characterised the seat as a test of democratic conscience for Dayak voters. Malaysiakini reported that Mordi's account of the campaign raised concerns about undue influence, including last-minute visits by senior federal figures and allegations of cash handouts, though he did not attribute these to Henry Harry Jinep personally.⛓
• AffectedBersih Sarawak, in October 2020, publicly criticised Tasik Biru assemblyman Henry Harry Jinep for allegedly telling JKKK (village development and security committee) secretaries to support GPS in the coming election or vacate their posts. Bersih Sarawak's chairperson stated this impinged on the democratic right and freedom of every person to vote for the candidate or party of their choice.⛓
• VerifiedFactsHenry Harry Jinep has been elected to Tasik Biru twice (2016, 2021) and holds the position of Sarawak Deputy Transport Minister (Maritime and Riverine) and PDP deputy president. These roles are confirmed by Bernama, The Star, Free Malaysia Today, and Malay Mail. His Datuk title is confirmed via a Bernama report on the 2024 Sarawak State Honours.⛓

Business interests (publicly reported)

Sinar Harian reported that Henry Harry Jinep is known as a successful Bidayuh entrepreneur who owns several companies (Source: pru.sinarharian.com.my). The New Straits Times described him as a 'corporate man' prior to his 2016 election (Source: nst.com.my). No further specific details about the companies or their nature have been reported by allowlist outlets.