MIRI: Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) is preparing and equipping its younger generation to take on leadership responsibilities and carry forward the party’s struggle for Sarawak, says Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
He said leadership transition is a natural process and the party must continuously identify, train and prepare new leaders to ensure its continuity.
“As members, we must prepare our children, because our children will eventually replace us. Leaders come and go, and there will come a time when we say thank you and step aside for someone new to take over,” he said this in his speech during the PBB Northern Zone Special Convention 2026 at Miri Indoor Stadium here today (Sept 13).
He said the spirit of PBB must be carried forward by those who genuinely cared for Sarawak, stressing that the party could not depend solely on its existing leadership.
“We must find people to replace us, and we must train them. If they are not trained, it will be difficult,” he said.
He said young leaders must be equipped not only with political knowledge but also with the ability to build relationships with people from different communities and religions.
“They must be trained on how to relate to people, how to engage with other communities and how to interact with people of different religions, so that they do not become toxic,” he said.
Abang Johari, who is also PBB president, expressed appreciation to the previous generation of the party’s leaders for giving him the opportunity to be trained and prepared for leadership.
“Alhamdulillah, I thank the leaders before me because I was given the opportunity to be trained by them. So now, we are also training the young ones,” he said.
He said the approach was already reflected in recent elections, where PBB had fielded new and younger candidates, including Tellian assemblyman Royston Valentine and Tanjung Datu assemblyman Azizul Annuar Adenan.
“In the election, we must have new people. In the last election, we had new people, including young people,” he said.
Abang Johari also acknowledged that leadership transition is inevitable and hinted that the current term could be his final one.
“I am being frank, perhaps this is my last term. You cannot go against nature. Although the heart remains young, I will make the decision when the time comes,” he said.
However, he stressed that any change in leadership should not be viewed negatively, as it is part of the natural cycle of succession.
“Let the old be replaced by the young. If there is a change, do not be disappointed. Sometimes we should not feel hurt when we are replaced. This is the natural order,” he said.
Abang Johari said what matters is ensuring that the party remained strong and had a system in place to facilitate continuous leadership renewal.
“Whatever happens, the struggle must continue. PBB will always be there because we have a system to facilitate the party,” he said.
