SIBU: Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) wants the state’s Budget 2024 to continue to prioritise the development, welfare and well-being of the people of Sarawak.
This is one of the 14 resolutions by the party’s Sibu Zone special convention which was read out by its vice-president Datuk Dr Annuar Rapaee at the one-day convention yesterday.
“We, members of the PBB propose that the Sarawak Budget for 2024 continue to prioritise the development, welfare and well-being of the people of Sarawak by maintaining an allocation of 70 per cent for development, with 60 percent of that dedicated to rural infrastructure and basic amenities,” he said.
Dr Annuar also said that members of the PBB from the Central Zone also support a proposal to increase the number of parliamentary constituencies in Sarawak.
“As previously suggested, and recommend that state constituencies should be expanded to accommodate the growing population and voters, ensuring equitable development and well-being,” he said.
He also said PBB Sibu Zone supports the aspiration of the Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg to provide free education to the children of Sarawak in government-owned higher education institutions.
“This is because education is a crucial aspect in producing quality workforce to achieve a progressive state.
“We, members of the PBB also propose that the government intensify efforts to develop and empower the agricultural sector, especially in rural areas, to ensure food security in the state and the nation while improving the socio-economic status of rural populations,” he said.
He added that PBB Sibu Zone expressed their deep gratitude for the initiative of the Sarawak government, led by the Premier, in providing a RM10,000 deposit assistance for first-time homebuyers of affordable housing.
“We also suggest that the government construct more affordable housing units to assist the people in owning their own residences, especially the youth.
PBB Sibu Zone proposed that the Sarawak government build more Village Expansion Schemes (Skim Pembesaran Kampung – SPK) in the Central Zone to help the people construct complete residential homes with necessary infrastructure.
The Nangka assemblyman said that they also pledged unwavering support to Abang Johari to continue leading PBB and Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) to ensure political stability in Sarawak and Malaysia.
“We have full confidence and trust in the leadership of PBB and GPS to lead Sarawak in ensuring the rights enshrined in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), the Inter-Governmental Committee (IGC) Report 1962, and the Federal Constitution are returned by the federal Unity Government as promised.
“We support the strategic steps taken by PBB and GPS as equal partnership in forming the federal Unity Government and demand that the leaders at the federal level extend due cooperation and respect to the representatives of PBB and GPS in advocating for the rights and interests of Sarawak.”
He added that PBB Sibu Zone was determined to ensure that the dominant status and role of PBB remain as the backbone of GPS leadership and the Sarawak government.
“We remind the component parties of GPS that any steps or decisions that may disrupt the spirit of unity, understanding and stability within GPS should be referred to the proper channels. Decisions should be made through consultation and approval from PBB and the other component parties,” he said.
Dr Annuar also said that PBB Sibu Zone also emphasises the goal of ensuring that Sarawak achieves the status of a high-income developed state by 2030, guided by the Post-COVID-19 Strategic Plan (PCDS 2030) policy and planning.
“We fully support the New Economic Policy centered on Green Economy and Hydrogen Economy, and the initiatives taken by Abang Johari to transform Sarawak’s economy in accordance with the agreements and matters stipulated in MA63, the IGC Report, and the Sarawak State Constitution, in line with the ‘Perjanjian Persefahaman Kerajaan Perpaduan’ signed on December 16, 2022.
“We are committed to preserving and strengthening unity among the multi-ethnic, multi-religious and multicultural people of Sarawak to ensure a peaceful and harmonious coexistence,” he said.
Some 3,000 delegates from 23 PBB branches in the Sibu Zone attended the convention.
Also present were PBB deputy presidents Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas and Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, senior vice-presidents Datuk Seri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom, Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, permanent chairman Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar and secretary-general Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi.
