BY ALEXANDRA LORNA & JACINTHA JOLENE
BETONG: Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Betong Zone has proposed that the number of parliamentary constituencies in Sarawak be increased.
PBB vice president Datuk Julaihi Narawi said this was among the nine resolutions unanimously agreed by delegates during the 2023 Betong Zone special convention held at the Dewan Sukan Tan Sri Datuk Amar Stephen Kalong Ningkan, here on Sunday (OCT 8).
He said this proposal is in line with the aspiration to balance and allow parliamentary constituencies in Sarawak and Sabah to comprise one third of the total number of parliamentary constituencies in Malaysia.
“In Sarawak we propose at least 12 new parliamentary constituencies and for at least three new constituencies for Betong Zone,” he said.
Earlier he said the party members also pledged unwavering support to the PBB president and Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg to continue to lead PBB and Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) to ensure political stability of Sarawak and Malaysia.
“We members of PBB also give full trust and confidence to the leadership of PBB and GPS to lead Sarawak in ensuring the rights enshrined in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), Inter-Governmental Committee (IGC) Report 1962 and the Federal Constitution to be returned by the federal Unity Government as promised,” Julaihi said.
He also said the party members support the strategic steps of PBB and GPS parties as partners in establishing the unity government at the federal level and demand that cooperation and due respect be given by federal leaders to PBB and GPS representatives in fighting for the rights and interests of Sarawak.
“We members of PBB are determined to ensure that the status and role of PBB remains dominant as the backbone party for GPS leadership and the Sarawak Government,” he said.
Julaihi, who is Sebuyau assemblyman said PBB members also remind all the component parties of the GPS that any steps and decisions that might disrupt the spirit of togetherness, understanding and stability of the GPS be referred to the proper channel.
“The decision taken should be done through negotiation and get the agreement of the PBB party and all other GPS component parties,” he said.
Julaihi also said that the party members are committed to ensure that Sarawak can achieve the status of a high-income developed state by 2030 based on the policies and planning of the Post COVID-19 Development Plan 2030 (PCDS 2030).
Additionally, he said the members of PBB also fully support the New Economic Policy which is based on the Green Economy and the Hydrogen Economy and the initiative taken by Abang Johari to transform Sarawak’s economy based on the laws and the matters listed in MA63, IGC Report and in the Sarawak State Constitution in accordance with the unity federal government Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed on December 16, 2022.
“We are determined to ensure that unity among people of multiple races, religions and cultures in Sarawak can be preserved and strengthened so that the community can continue to live in peace and harmony,” he stressed.
