ABOVE PIC: Uggah (left) with Betong Member of Parliament Datuk Robert Lawson Chuat (third left) and the association chairman Hazmi @ Hajemi Jahan (third right) posing for the media.
SPAOH, 7 Dec : The process of grooming new blood is a very vital one, and for Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), the 12th State Election is a most opportune time to bring this process to a higher level.
Its deputy president Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said that this was why the party had fielded eight new faces to stand as candidates for this election.
“For PBB to stay relevant as the backbone of the State GPS Government, we must build the leaders for tomorrow. When a leader steps down, another must step in to fill in the void. So PBB will continue to grow and serve the people well,” he said.
“In addition, in each new era, you will have a different struggle. You will have a different issue, and in each new era, you will have different challenges.”
Take for example, Uggah added, the current situation with the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic faced by the country and the world today.
“This is a road which none of us have travelled before. So we need to manage it, and all these experiences are very important,” he said.
Relating his own personal experiences, Uggah said he has been in politics since 1986.
“I have held several posts in the Federal Cabinet. When I returned to Sarawak, I was appointed a Deputy Chief Minister besides holding other posts, including the chairmanship of the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee,” he said.
“The experiences I have gained are extremely valuable. To be part of the state administration, it is not easy especially in dealing with the pandemic. So grooming up new leaders is a continuous, important and integral effort in PBB.”
On the big number of candidates contesting in the election, Uggah said it indicated that democracy was thriving in the State.
“We welcome them all. This is going to be very interesting. For example, we have the Dudong seat with eight contestants. In Bukit Saban, I will face two other candidates,” he added.
On another matter, Uggah, who is Gabungan Parti Sarawak election director, said he and his campaigners will abide by the Standard Operating Procedures for the election as set out by the Election Commission.
“We have seen the list of state seats where ‘ceramah’ (talks) can be held but based on the SOP. Bukit Saban is one of them. Although our internet coverage is quite alright, there are areas without the coverage,” he said.
“So we thank the commission for allowing us to hold the ‘ceramah’. But the ‘ceramah’ sessions are not like usual. We are only allowing an audience of not more than 150 people, and the sessions must be ended before 10.00 pm. We will follow these SOPs to safeguard everyone’s health.”
Uggah said this to the media after a meeting with the Spaoh Government Pensioners’ Association at his service centre here today. – TVS
