Leadership transition must ensure continuity

KUCHING: Leadership transition in Sarawak must be smooth to ensure continuity in the state’s development and long-term direction.

Tasik Biru assemblyman Datuk Henry Harry Jinep said that leadership required wisdom drawn from experience and knowledge, particularly given Sarawak’s diverse social fabric.

“Sarawak leadership is about wisdom. Wisdom that comes from the weight of experience and level of knowledge.

“Sarawak leadership needs a smooth transition period for the passing down of the baton from one leader to another,” he said when contacted.

Henry was responding to recent remarks by Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg on leadership renewal and the importance of preparing a younger generation of leaders.

Abang Johari made the remarks in his capacity as Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) president at the party’s Northern Zone Special Convention in Miri on Sunday (Sept 13).

During his speech, Abang Johari mentioned “this may be my last time” as he reflected on his age and spoke about older PBB leaders eventually making way for younger members to carry on the party’s responsibilities and struggle.

Henry, meanwhile, said Sarawak’s multicultural, multireligious and multi-ethnic composition meant its leadership must be able to represent people from all backgrounds.

“We need a leader that is truly a leader for all Sarawakians,” he said.

He also pointed to the various initiatives being pursued under Abang Johari’s administration, including new approaches to strengthening Sarawak’s revenue and the Post-Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030.

“And now with all the new Sarawak revenue engineering initiatives and PCDS 2030, a new leader must be able to fit into the big shoes of Abg Jo in order to have continuity and smooth progress,” he added.

Abang Johari, 76, had told the convention that he would be 80 in another four years, adding that leadership succession was a natural process.

“We are already getting old, and it is time for us to give way to the younger generation to carry on the responsibility and the struggle,” he said.

However, he cited he would make his decision when the time came.

Abang Johari stressed that PBB must continuously prepare and train younger members to assume leadership responsibilities, including engaging with people of different backgrounds and religions.

He noted leaders would come and go, but PBB had a system to ensure continuity and carry on the party’s struggle for Sarawak.