KUCHING, Dec 2 ― The younger generation of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) must step up as leaders as party seniors will not be around forever, its president Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Openg said today
He said the senior leaders, including himself, are getting old and will one day step down for them to take over.
“Leaders come, leaders go and this smooth leadership transition is a reason why PBB is solid and the backbone of the state Barisan Nasional,” he said at the opening of eight party divisions annual delegates conference in Bako, near here.
He said there has been a smooth transition of leadership since 1970 when Tun Temenggong Jugah anak Barieng handed over the leadership role to Tun Abdul Rahman Yaakub, who then handed over role to Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud, then to Tan Sri Adenan Satem before he became the president early this year.
Abang Johari, who is also Sarawak chief minister, said he believed that PBB will be in the good hands when the younger generations take over the leadership, adding:”I am sure that they will have strategies that are suitable with their time.”
He said PBB must remain strong and relevant and continues to remain the backbone of the state Barisan Nasional in the future to come.
“Let us look back what we have achieved while at the same time, let us plan what we can do for the future,” he said.
He also reminded party members that PBB is a party which places the interests of not only the native communities, but also those of the Chinese in Sarawak.
He said the strength of PBB is also due to trusts of other communities have towards the party for being inclusiveness.
“When Sarawak is peaceful and enjoying racial harmony, all the races can work together like children of a big family,” he said, stressing that there will be political instability not in Sarawak, but also in Malaysia if there are racial conflicts.
Abang Johari said he is pleased to note that PBB has brought about uninterrupted political stability and racial harmony since it was formed in 1970.
