KUCHING: Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu must entice youth who make up a large percentage of voters to join the party.
PBB Deputy President Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said since 66 per cent of registered voters comprised those in the 18 to 28 years age group, the party must seize the opportunity to attract these young voters.
He said based on statistics obtained in December last year, Sarawak recorded a total of 1,927,750 registered voters in which 675,077 were new voters.
Of these, 20 per cent are 19 to 20 years old, 45 percent are between 21 and 29 years old, and 19.23 per cent are 30 to 39 years old.
Noting how majority of Generation Z possessed technology digital literacy, he said the party must generate programmes that met the age group’s needs and interests.
“In PBB, we must make sure we invite them to join our party. As for the non-Bumiputera, they can perhaps join Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP), Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) or Progressive Democratic Party (PDP).
“If we do not ‘propose’ to them, they might join other party. Thus, we must organise programmes and bring them in,” he said.
He said this when officiating the Youth and Women convention at the PBB 15th Triennial General Meeting (TGM) at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) here yesterday.
The Deputy Premier said it was one of Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg’s directives to bring the youth together in PBB as they had roles to play, adding that the future was theirs.
He also highlighted that the Post COVID-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030 was a very important policy that all Sarawakians, especially PBB Youth and Women Wing members must understand.
“I understand there is an exhibition booth focusing on PCDS 2030 at this convention so please take the opportunity to visit and understand what it is about.
“It is important for all to understand the policy so that you will be able to explain to the people on the ground and do your part to ensure its success,” he said.
Apart from understanding the PCDS 2030 programmes, policies, and strategies, Uggah said party members must explain the noble intentions of the state government to all members at the grassroot level as well as participate in the various programmes.
