Tongkat ?

I watched the life telecast on the official launch of "Koridor Raya Ekonomi Sabah" and was queries when Sabah CM gives "Tongkat" as a state gift to Pa Lah. What was the reason of giving him tongkat? Is there any hidden message from Sabah state government@Sabah umno? Last year Badawi has expressed his dissatisfaction on Sabah government when CM failed to overcome the state problem especially on poverty, stateless people, the demolition of deep water corals etc. Even there are a say, Aman Musa as CM of the state will be dropped after next election due to his weak performance. So is there any hidden message from Aman Musa to Pa Lah which represented symbolically? Is there any message from Sabah umno that Pa Lah is too weak to administer the country and he needs a tongkat to sustain politically and Sabah umno are willing to be his tongkat? May be the message from Sabah umno is, they will back Pa Lah as far as Aman Musa is in place otherwise Sabah umno will make sure he retired from politics which expected to have a party election this year after general election is over. Meanwhile I'm not impressed with Pa Lah's speech where he failed a few times to give the fact and figure's [look panic] and the contents of his speech were out of topic.