PBB may field new faces from Youth Wing in next state election, says Abg Jo

SIBU (Oct 6): Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) may field new faces from its newly-launched Youth Wing in the next state election if they fulfill the criteria, said its president Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.

The Premier said he preferred the youths to be prepared through training so they would be able to interact with people of various backgrounds and avoid overzealous candidates who may resort to extremism just to win the election.

He said it was PBB tradition to have a combination of 30 per cent new faces together with experienced and old leaders fielded as their candidates in every election.

“Of course they cannot go straight to contest in the election. I myself have to wait for my turn (to be fielded) because to be an election candidate – firstly, one must have the ability and secondly, acceptance because it includes social culture.

“If these can be fulfilled, no matter the background or place, if the people can accept them then why not field them as our candidates?” he said during a press conference after launching the PBB Youth Wing protem committee here today.

The newly-launched wing is for youths aged 18-28.

Abang Johari also urged youth members to be patient and not to rush their political journey.

He said even if they wanted to rush into doing things, they must do it the right way.

“You have to learn because when you are elected, you are fully equipped to interact with people of different backgrounds. We don’t want those who would resort to extremism, like playing with religious issues, to get support.

“That is dangerous because in our multiracial society, we have to balance all the stakeholders. We need our state to be peaceful and of course, a leader must have the brain to bring the state forward and see what is happening in the future,” he said.

He said it was PBB’s aim to produce young leaders for the future who have the knowledge in technological field to use the state’s abundant resources for the betterment of the people.

“Politics is only one channel for us to serve. There are many who do not get involved in politics, but contribute in terms of their respective expertise to improve our state’s economy.”

On the PBB Youth Wing, he said it was a historic moment for Sarawak politics which would provide space for youths aged 18-28 years old to become PBB members and contribute not only towards the party’s development but also to Gabungan Parti Sarawak.

Among those present were PBB deputy presidents Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas and Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan; senior vice president Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof; Women chief Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah; Youth chief Miro Simuh; and organising chairman Muhammad Nur Shafiq Wong.