SIBU: Going by the general mood at its mini convention here today, it seems that Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) will have little or no trouble at all going forward to the coming election.
The delegates have pledged their full support for their party and the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) state government led by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg.
They hoped that Abang Johari and other GPS leaders would continue to be strong, resourceful and smart in administering the state so as to be able to implement more and more infrastructure projects, particularly in the rural areas.
On the part of the leaders, especially the senior ones, they want the members to have knowledge about land (among other things) so as not to be influenced by misinformation. Land is after all a hotly debated topic. Members in the central zone are also required to be prepared and to know about election rules as the next state election is quite near.
More than 1,000 delegates from 25 PBB branches in the central zone converged here for the convention which was declared by Abang Johari who is PBB president.
Various topics were brought up by the speakers and the members said a lot of positive things in response. However, the subject matters were too varied and too numerous to categorise effectively. As such, below are some of the selected comments which, hopefully, are representative of the general attitude of the party members.
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Salimah Zaini, 57, PBB Bukit Assek branch member
The convention is great. It’s fun and informative. Anyway, I have high hopes for our leader, Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg. I pray that victory will be on his side. Victory for him means victory for me.
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Raizul Nur Akmal Razali, 26, PBB Bukit Assek Youth branch member
I’m confident that GPS will successfully defend all its seats in the coming state election. We (the youth) hope that the government would pay more attention to us. We also want improved telecommunication facilities in rural areas. It’s frustrating not to be able to access the internet when you are in the rural areas.
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Nur Shafiqah Abdul Rauf, 24, PBB Kuala Rajang branch member
We gain more relevant information from this convention because we hear directly from the senior leaders. This is great. We know more about our own party. GPS is a good government and has given a lot of help to the people hit by the pandemic. Also, I hope there will be more development for young people.
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Tuai Rumah Boney Kinsun, 33, PBB Balingian branch member
I have learned more about the mission and purpose of GPS in terms of its development- oriented march forward. Through this convention, we say out our opinions to the leaders. On matters concerning our youth, I say to the leaders, young people need jobs. Drastic development is needed in Sarawak so that our youth can be presented with opportunities to work towards success. Lastly, I congratulate GPS because it has succeeded in fighting for Sarawak rights and will fight for more.
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Tuai Rumah Kanching Linang, 42, PBB Katibas branch member
My main interest now is Jalan Song-Kapit-Sibu. It is almost done. It’s a very important development for me and my people. The road will make it easier for us to travel to Sibu. No more using boats to take sick people to Sibu. For this we thank GPS/PBB for the improvement. Previously we travelled by boat from Song to Sibu for about two hours.
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Tuai Rumah Lucy David Matan, 33, PBB Katibas branch member
I thank GPS for the various development projects in our area. Among other things, we are grateful that we have a road now. It shortens our journey to Sibu. Once there is a road, a lot of good things can happen, namely fast travel, fast development…..macam-macam ada.
