BINTULU: Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) from Bintulu Zone pledged full confidence and support to Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg in the selection of candidates from PBB to represent Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) in the Jepak state by-election.
PBB senior vice president Datuk Seri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom said this was among the 11 resolutions made and agreed unanimously during the Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) 2023 Northern Zone Special Convention at Bintulu Civic Centre here today.
He said besides that, the party members will also cooperate with the components of GPS to ensure a big victory in the Jepak state by-election.
“We also fully support the Sarawak government’s initiative to take over Bintulu Port as one of the government’s efforts to consolidate and rationalise Sarawak’s ports and infrastructure for a more orderly and vigorous economic development in the future,” he said.
However, Rundi added that the matter is still in negotiations with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
“On Sept 16, PM said it is still being negotiated and during the tabling of Budget 2024 recently, he also said it is still being negotiated.
“We don’t want to negotiate anymore; we want to implement this so that we can take over the Bintulu Port,” he said.
Rundi then proposed that the number of parliamentary constituencies in Sarawak and Sabah be increased, so they comprise 35 per cent of the total parliamentary seats, in line with the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) and the Inter-Governmental Committee (IGC).
“We, PBB members also pledge unwavering support to the party president to continue leading PBB and GPS to ensure the political stability of Sarawak and Malaysia.
“We also give full trust and confidence to the leadership of PBB and GPS to lead Sarawak in ensuring the rights enshrined in the MA63, IGC Report 1962, and the Federal Constitution acknowledged and returned by the federal government as promised,” he said.
He also said that party members endorse the strategic actions taken by PBB and GPS parties as equal partners in forming a Unity Government at the federal level. They demand that federal leaders cooperate with and show due respect to PBB and GPS representatives in their efforts to safeguard the rights and interests of Sarawak.
“We, PBB members are determined to ensure that the status and role of PBB remain dominant as the backbone party for GPS leadership and the Sarawak government.
“We also remind the component parties of the GPS that any steps and decisions that may disrupt the spirit of togetherness, understanding, and stability of the GPS are referred to the proper channels.
“The decisions should be made through negotiation, securing the agreement of the PBB and other component parties,” he stressed.
Rundi said PBB members also emphasised the commitment of Sarawak to achieve the status of a developed and high-income state by the year 2030 based on the policies and planning of the Post-COVID-19 Strategic Plan 2030 (PCDS 2030).
“We, PBB members fully support the New Economic Policy which is based on the Green Economy, the Circular Economy, and the Hydrogen Economy as well as the Revenue Re-engineering initiative taken by Premier to transform Sarawak’s economy.
“We are also determined to ensure that unity among the people of multiple races, religions, and cultures in Sarawak can be preserved and strengthened so that the community can live in peace and harmony,” he added.
