by DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Feb 12: Deputy Minister of Education and Innovation, Datuk Dr Annuar Rapaee, announced his intention to defend his vice president position in Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), emphasising his commitment to further enhancing Sarawak’s education system and shaping key policies to drive the State toward a brighter future.
In a statement today, he said the position of PBB vice president is a great responsibility.
He believes that having the position in the party gives him the opportunity to contribute to the formulation of major policies that will be implemented by the Sarawak government.
“My goal is to contest and defend this position because I have been entrusted to be the Deputy Minister in the field of education for Sarawak.”
“We have done a lot in formulating education policies in Sarawak, for example, we are the first State government to help pay part of the PTPTN loans for our State’s children.
“Additionally, various other policies have also been implemented such as the provision of free laptops, book vouchers, the Sarawak Graduates Return Initiative (Inisiatif Graduan Pulang Sarawak or iGPS), the Sarawak Education Enhancement Programmes (SEEP), and various other talent and skills development programmes,” he shared.
He also highlighted that Sarawak will offer free education to students enrolled in State government-owned universities starting next year, marking a significant milestone in the region’s education sector.
He considers the policies implemented by the Sarawak government as forward-thinking policies capable of changing the fate of Sarawak’s younger generation, especially those with low incomes and living in rural areas.
“We see that with the implementation of these policies, the inability to pursue education due to financial constraints no longer exists for the children of Sarawak,” said Dr Annuar, who is among six vying for the four vice president positions at the upcoming PBB Convention this week.
Dr Annuar, who is also the ADUN Nangka, stated that if he is given the mandate to continue the role as PBB vice president, he will strive to contribute ideas and perspectives to advance and upgrade existing policies to make the dream of Sarawak becoming a high-income advanced region by 2030 a reality.
He also welcomed the statement by the Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, who mentioned that PBB is now entering a phase of leadership transition, with the upcoming 16th PBB Convention serving as a crucial platform to shape the party’s future and create opportunities for emerging leaders.
“He (the Premier) emphasised the need for PBB to prepare itself for new leaders to lead the party. For that, these future leaders need to be trained from now on.
“That is why, this week’s convention will likely be a convention where we choose successors who will continue the party’s efforts,” he said.
“I believe what the Premier is trying to convey is clear, that this convention is a transition. It means that this convention is a platform to choose future successors who will be appointed and trained to the level where they should be,” he added.
This is the third time Dr Annuar Rapaee will be contesting for the role as one of four vice presidents of PBB, having first been elected to the position in 2018. – DayakDaily
