Minos: PBB convention a process of regeneration

KUCHING: The Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) convention from Feb 8 -11 is a process of ‘regeneration at work’ to ensure party renewal and betterment in all aspects.

A political observer Datuk Peter Minos, said such a process is in accord with the aspirations of the current generation and time, in keeping with changes in the new world of globalisation and digitalisation, on top of new ideas and thinking.

“The PBB coming convention can be said to be a ‘watershed’ one because it will be the time when the generally young and second echelon of party leaders will be taking over the top leadership from the older ones,” Minos said.

It is now public knowledge and have been said by senior party members that Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari will remain the party president and Deputy Chief Ministers Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas and Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan as deputy presidents, uncontested.

According to Minos, the posts of senior vice president and vice presidents may be open for contest.

PBB has two senior presidents and six vice presidents.

However, he pointed out that these posts whether uncontested or not, will probably see the young face of a new generation.

Minos also said that PBB is a highly progressive party that grooms new leaders and keeps up with time, adding that the party knows its role for all races.

“Being the largest party in Barisan Nasional (BN) Sarawak, PBB has provided leadership to BN Sarawak, kept the peace, stability and inter-racial harmony and brought progress and development to the state,” he stressed.

He pointed out that PBB could not repeatedly tell Umno not to enter Sarawak, if the party is weak and divided, stressing that PBB is one party that puts great premium on unity, discipline, compromise and consensus on many issues.

“These attributes which came from years of good leadership and many past experiences has become the culture in PBB,” he said.

He cited the post of PBB Youth chief from the Pesaka wing and Women chief from the Bumiputera wing, as great signs of compromise in the party.

A silent compromise at work is also the long-standing understanding that, if the president is from the Bumi wing, the secretary general, a powerful post, should be from the Pesaka wing, he pointed out.

Minos also pointed out that if there is no contest for the two senior vice president posts (Bumiputera wing) there is strong indications in the party that vice president Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah will be there as he has the brains, ability and guts to stand up to federal government on certain contentious issues.

Dato Sri Stephen Rundi Utom, now the secretary general, will be the other senior vice president from the Pesaka wing, Minos said, adding that there are many competent and able contenders if the posts of vice presidents are to be contested.

Minos stressed that it was vital for PBB to remain strong, calm and united to face the coming 14th general election, which will most probably be held this March or April.