Abg Johari expects smooth transition of leadership at PBB convention

MIRI: Transition of leadership in Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu ( PBB) will come to the fore in the coming party convention, with the second echelon leaders prepared to undertake bold approach for Sarawak to embrace changes and technology to remain relevant in Industry 4.0.

Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said with its inherent structure and training of second echelon leaders since 1971, there will be a smooth transition of leadership in the party.

The party convention would be the first after former chief minister and party president Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud stepped down to be succeeded by Pehin Sri Datuk Patinggi Adenan Satem (Tok Nan), who passed away on Jan 11, 2017 and was succeeded by Abang Johari two days later.

“The transition will be smooth as between the first generation of PBB leaders and the second generation such as me, Douglas and Awang Tengah who all came through the Youth wing,” he said, referring to deputy chief ministers Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas and Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan.

Abang Johari was speaking when officiating at the triennial general meeting ( TGM) of PBB Zone 10 here yesterday.

The party convention will be held from Feb 9 to 11 this year, as the party elections were put off by Tok Nan as party president to concentrate on winning the state election in 2016. The posts of party president, deputy presidents, Youth chief and Wanita chief had been proposed to be uncontested in the TGM, paving the way for the second generation of leaders to chart the party’s direction.

Abang Johari said Sarawak, particularly PBB as the prime mover in the state, must embrace changes or risk being left behind in this fast- paced technologydriven era.

“We ( PBB) are dynamic. We are relevant in any era and we have to embrace changes and adopt new approaches in facing the Industry 4.0 era,” he stressed.

He also said this would ensure that PBB would continue to be attractive to youths who are technology- savvy and the party must be bold in facing challenges and changes to the state’s economic structure.

On the fight for the state’s rights as spelt out in Malaysia Agreement 1963, he said the state government was now embarking on the second phase of the delicate negotiations which entailed technicalities and the Constitution.

Separately, when officiating at the PBB Bukit Sari branch meeting in Lawas, Awang Tengah said the party was taking steps to ensure that Sarawak gains new heights in development.

“At the very core of all this is unity in the party, which is the source of strength and discipline, relevant to the reality of life and guided by party constitution,” he said.