CM to prepare tomorrow’s leaders
KUCHING: Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg has vowed to groom and empower young leaders before he retires, just like his predecessors did to ensure that there is continuity in the state leadership.
Abang Johari, who is Sarawak United National Youths Organisation (Saberkas) president, acknowledged that it is not easy to be leaders, especially in Sarawak because they have to be fair to all communities and religions.
“The time will come for us to make way, so we have to empower the young leaders. I will do that when I retire. It is not easy to be leaders, especially in Sarawak because we have to be fair to all communities and religions. Sarawak is best for that, we are very fair. Hence, there is no quarrel,” he said when declaring open Saberkas tri-annual general assembly at Kuching Hilton here yesterday.
In the context of Saberkas, Abang Johari said such culture needs to exist in Saberkas to ensure that the state’s biggest youth organisation that is now 45 years old continue to be relevant all the time.
“Saberkas is now 45 years old and is getting more mature year by year. Same goes to the leadership but the leadership must be done in succession. What is important is there is continuity in leadership, at the same time we preserve our culture and how to manage our youngs and at the same time, how the young can contribute to the development of Sarawak.”
In stressing on the importance of the spirit to contribute to the state and country’s development among Saberkas members, he said this requires participation from all ethnic groups.
“That is why we have got all the races in Saberkas, all the leaders from all ethnic groups from branch to state level. When we share on how to develop our state... taking into account the needs of all races and religions, then our country is very peaceful.
“This is the foundation of our struggle. Thank God, from the previous leaderships until now, we have to consider the interests of all ethnic groups. That is why we don’t have any extreme views in Saberkas. We are very moderate be it (in) Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, we tolerate and the high degree of tolerance is the basic that Saberkas has developed.
“This must be defended and I would like to congratulate Saberkas leadership that has successfully cultivated the ecosystem that I have mentioned.”
Considering that youths nowadays are well informed and advanced, he said the leadership must ensure that they are always in the know.
“If the leaders don’t know and youth knows, (then) who are the followers and who are the leaders? If you’re supposed to be a leader and your followers ask you this particular question and if you can’t really (answer) meaning you’re not there as a leader.
“Leaders must be well informed and must (be well) read and leaders must have a vision. That is why we have a vision to transform Sarawak as a S-Sarawak that is ‘Smart Sarawak’ utilising the digital technology.”
Among those present were Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, Saberkas deputy president Datuk Roland Sagah Wee Inn and secretary-general Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi.