PBB Belia members will not be nominated as Sarawak election candidates unless…

Abang Johari (fourth right) receives a token of appreciation from Muhammad Nur Syafiq while other dignitaries look on during the launching of the PBB Belia wing in Sibu on Oct 6, 2024. Photo credit: Sarawak Public Communications Unit (Ukas)

By Shikin Louis

SIBU, Oct 6: Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) said that it would not nominate candidates from its newly-formed Belia wing to contest in the next Sarawak election.

Responding to a reporter’s query, PBB president Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the members from the new wing will have to learn first and await their turn just like the leaders before them.

“They will not contest right away. Back then I also had to wait in line.

“When contesting in the elections, we must take into account ability and acceptance as it involves socio-cultural factors,” he said at a press conference after the launch of PBB Belia which was broadcast live on Gabungan Parti Sarawak’s (GPS) Facebook page today. An audio recording of the press conference was made available to DayakDaily after the event.

Nevertheless, Abang Johari also did not deny the possibility of letting the youth stand in elections if the abovementioned requirements are met or if they are accepted by the community.

He mentioned that PBB has a policy of introducing 30 per cent new faces in every election.

This, he said, has been the party’s culture of having a lineup of old, new and experienced leaders in the same boat.

At the same time, he warned that sometimes the youth tend to move too fast that it would put the boat in danger.

“If the boat is too fast, they would not be able to see the log in front of the boat and they might capsize. Therefore, if the youth want to move fast, they must do it in a proper way.

“The important thing is that they must have patience. Previously, we have had colleagues who were too fast while we maintained our pace and today, the fast ones are no longer around. So this is also a lesson,” he added.

The PBB Belia Wing was formed for youths aged between 18 and 28, to give them the opportunity to air their views and join in the discussions for the resolutions.

This came following the amendment to the Federal Constitution, which enables Malaysians aged 18 to be automatically registered as voters.

Apart from PBB Belia, the party also has PBB Women and PBB Youth wings to represent the women and the men, respectively.

Amongst those present were PBB deputy presidents Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas and Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, senior vice presidents Dato Sri Fadillah Yusof and Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom, and PBB Belia Dalat chief Muhammad Nur Syafiq Wong Muhammad Nur Amirul Iskandar Wong who is the organising chairman for the PBB Belia Wing launching ceremony. — DayakDaily