KUCHING: A strong crowd of 5,000 are expected to join Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak at Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu’s (PBB) 14th general assembly at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching here on Saturday.
The crowd comprising delegates and observers from 82 PBB branches state-wide are also expected to endorse their strong support towards Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Abang Openg, who will attend the triennial delegates’ conference for the first time as the president of the party.
Party secretary-general Datuk Seri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom said over the years, Najib, who is also Barisan Nasional chairman, has shown great commitment to develop Sarawak including initiating negotiation for the state’s rights to be restored according to the Malaysian Agreement 1963 (MA63).
“We are thankful to the Prime Minister (Najib) who has been very open to talks for the devolution of powers from the Federal Government to Sarawak.
“This convention is as an important occasion, in which, it will act as a platform for PBB delegates and members to give mandate for the party president to continue championing the bid in restoring Sarawak’s rights that have eroded over the years.
“This was the will and wish of the late chief minister (Tan Sri Adenan Satem) and we must continue to champion such struggle,” said Rundi, who is also state Utilities Minister, during his inspection of the full rehearsal for the convention’s opening ceremony, today.
Issues related to MA63, he said, will be among the three resolutions to be deliberated and pass during the conference, which would be attended by 2,651 official delegates and observers.
He said this was to prove that the effort to restore the rights of the state by the party chairman reflected the aspiration of 320,000 registered members in PBB and generally the people in Sarawak.
“It is our responsibility to look after the rights of the people in the state. It is also our duty to continue preserving peace and unity.
“Let us continue this effort using the right channel. There is no point of fighting since nobody will win.
“Having said that, we just want our rights back and Sarawak will continue to remain in Malaysia forever,” he said.
The two other resolutions to be discussed among the delegates are on digital economy, befitting to the theme of the convention, “Transforming Sarawak through Digital Economy”, and issues related on education in the state.
On the party’s election for the vice-president posts, Rundi said it reflected the effective grooming process of young leaders and the unwritten compromise among leaders from the Bumiputera and Pesaka wings, which had been nurtured since the formation of PBB.
There are four slots for the PBB vice-president posts.
One of the candidates vying for a slot is state Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, who had earlier, gave up contesting the senior vice-president’s post.
Also eyeing a spot are three assistant state ministers, who are medical doctors. They are Assistant State Minister for Rural Electricity, Dr Annuar Rahman Junaidi; Assistant State Minister for Agriculture, Dr Abdul Rahman Ismail; and Assistant State Minister for Education and Technological Research, Dr Annuar Rapaee.
Assistant State Minister of Coastal Road Datuk Julaihi Narawi and Minister in the Chief Minister’s Office (Integrity and Ombudsman) Datuk Talib Zulpilip are defending the vice-president posts.
The other candidate contesting for the same post is Assistant State Minister for Urban Planning, Land Administration and Environment, Datuk Len Talif Salleh.