PBB to remain inclusive, Abang Johari assures party members
KUCHING: The leadership of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) must be inclusive so as to realise the broader concerns and interests of all communities.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg acknowledged that PBB’s strong foundation was established by party leaders who prioritised the diverse interests of all communities regardless of race and religion.
“We have mutual understanding as we move together in the same direction for the sake of our party,” he said when addressing the 14th general assembly of PBB Women and Youth Wings held at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) here yesterday.
“We feel that the party is more important than ourselves. We feel the party is a platform for us to move forward,” he exhorted noting that selflessness was one of the traits for a strong party.
Many people continue to rely on PBB, he pointed out, because the leaders and members were sincere in serving the people.
“That’s why our party is strong, to the extent that there was no competition for the top leaderships in the Youth and Women Sections because they understand this concept (inclusiveness),” he said.
“That’s the spirit and confidence people have in PBB. This is the quality of leadership that we must safeguard,” he added.
Abang Johari, who is the president of PBB, commended leaders who have willingly stepped down when the time was due to pave the way for younger people to lead.
He also emphasised the need for PBB youths and women to be equipped with the right knowledge, approach and equipment to move forward.
“Time has changed. We need technology and combined with our resources, we can achieve our vision to be an advanced state by 2030 or even earlier than that.
“We need new strategy to boost revenues of our state coffers which I know how to but can’t reveal at this stage yet. That’s why I dared to plan for all the big projects like LRT (light rail transit),” he said.
He reiterated that party leaders need to be brave enough to lead change and transformation for the betterment of Sarawak and its people.
“PBB has contributed a lot to Sarawak and we must ensure that the spirit of PBB will always be there and ensure PBB will continue to lead and transform Sarawak into a brighter future,” he said.
Concluding with a quote from Alexander the Great; ‘the greatness of man is not measured by what he is but by what he does’, Abang Johari reminded that for the party, “it is measured by what the party has done”.
Thousands of delegates and party members attended the assembly.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak will declare open the PBB Convention today.
Deputy Chief Ministers Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas and Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, Works Minister Dato Sri Fadillah Yusof, newly-minted PBB Women chief and Minister of Welfare, Community, Well Being, Women, Family and Childhood Development Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah, outgoing PBB Women Chief Tan Sri Empiang Jabu and newly-minted PBB Youth Chief Gerald Rentap Jabu were among those present.