MIRI: Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) must prioritise preparing successors, especially the youth, to ensure the party's leadership remains strong and relevant in the future.

Sarawak Premier and PBB President, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg emphasised the importance of equipping future leaders with wisdom and experience to take over the party’s leadership and continue driving the region’s development.

As the backbone of the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) that governs the region, he said PBB must ensure that young leaders are given the necessary training to lead Sarawak towards greater progress. 

In this regard, he urged for continuous leadership training for future leaders without jealousy or personal interests among the current leadership.

"We cannot be selfish. When the time comes (to step down), then our successor, (the Youth Wing), will come. So, we must provide training to the youth.

"I think what is important is that the party must be relevant. If there is a party but the leadership is irrelevant, how will people follow? (Because) We have Sarawak and Sarawak has strength, (so) we must take care of Sarawak," he said.

He said this in a press conference after officiating the PBB Northern Zone Delegates Meeting at a leading hotel here, on Saturday.

Meanwhile, 12 key resolutions were tabled at the meeting, among them, unwavering support for the leadership of the Sarawak Premier to continue leading PBB as well as strengthening the party's role as the pillar of political stability in Sarawak. 

Other resolutions included a proposal to maintain key PBB leadership positions without contest, including those of Deputy Presidents and Senior Vice Presidents.

These also encompassed empowering future leaders as well as emphasising the importance of infrastructure development and basic amenities in Northern Sarawak with the aim of transforming the area into a hub for tourism and oil and gas production.

In addition, the meeting also proposed improvements to the housing sector and other infrastructure that can improve the living standards of the local community especially in rural areas.

Also present were PBB Deputy Presidents, Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas and Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, PBB Senior Vice Presidents, Dato Sri Fadillah Yusof and Dato Sri Dr. Stephen RUndi Utom, PBB Permanent Chairman, Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nasar, PBB Secretary-General, Dato Sri Alexander Nanta Linggi, PBB Women’s Wing Chief, Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah, PBB Youth Wing Chief, Miro Simuh. -UKASnews