By Lian Cheng and Marlynda Meraw
KUCHING, Feb 16: Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) has passed the resolution to set up a presidential council which acts as a decision-making body in the face of any eventualities.
PBB president Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg who is Premier of Sarawak said the newly set up council will consist of president, deputy presidents, senior vice presidents, vice presidents, and secretary general when met by the media after the conclusion of 16th PBB Triennial Delegates’ Conference held at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK).
Meanwhile, PBB deputy president Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas added that the motion of setting up the presidential council was supported unanimously by the delegates.
“It is a mechanism to be used by top PBB party leadership to brainstorm for solutions in face of any issues.
“Just now, Dato Sri Abdul Karim explained clearly that we (PBB) needed a committee known as the presidential council comprising the president, deputy presidents, senior vice presidents, vice presidents and secretary general.
“It’s a small committee. So when there are issues that need to be discussed immediately, it’s easier (for them to gather). If we have to call for a supreme council meeting, it is harder as it will take time,” said Uggah.
Uggah who is also Deputy Premier cited the situation in 2018 when Barisan Nasional (BN) lost in the General Election and Sarawak leaders needed to come up with fast decisions in the face of the great change.
He said at that juncture, Abang Johari gathered several top leaders from PBB and other component parties to discuss Sarawak’s direction. It was during that time that the decision was made to leave BN to form Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS).
“And in the future, it will be more challenging with the new technology, with AI, and with the availability of handphone which makes it easy to spread stories. That is why there’s a need to have a speedy mechanism to make decisions, to decide on policies and direction,” explained Uggah.
The decision he said will further be presented to the Supreme Council for endorsement and advice.
He stressed that the role of the presidential council is to speed up decision-making process in the face of issues when fast answers are needed and to assist Abang Johari to take appropriate actions. — DayakDaily
