Awang Tengah (fourth right) opening the ‘lemang’ inside the bamboo to mark the Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration. Lee is at fourth left.
MIRI: Unity among the various races in Parti Pesaka Bumiputra Bersatu (PBB) is the main reason for the party to remain strong and become the backbone of Sarawak Barisan Nasional (BN) and the second largest party in the federal BN.
PBB deputy president Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hassan attributed this to the spirit of harmony among its members.
“Because of the awareness of its members to champion the party’s struggle with discipline and spirit of consensus, PBB has become stronger by the day,” he said during the PBB Senadin branch Ramah Tamah Aidilfitri at Tudan Phase 2 yesterday.
Present were PBB Senadin chairman Julaihi Mohamad, Sibuti MP Ahmad Lai Bujang, Senadin assemblyman Datuk Lee Kim Shin, Kabong assemblyman Mohd Chee Kadir, Miri mayor Adam Yii, PBB Pujut chairman Abu Bakar Amit and PBB Piasau chairman Sardon Zainal.
“Our past leaders took the initiative to unite the Bumiputera and Pesaka parties into one party, that is PBB, because they were aware of the importance of being united to have a stronger voice to champion their struggles,” Awang Tengah said.
He recalled that the party remained strong and united even when a certain group in the party tried to topple its leaders in 1987.
Awang Tengah stressed that the spirit of working together and remaining united among the members should be continued and upheld so that PBB remain strong and can continue to develop Sarawak under the BN spirit.
He said the spirit of understanding and cohesiveness is demonstrated in the smooth transition of power from one chief minister to another.
“This is the party spirit, leaders come and go but PBB remains intact and strong because the members are united,” he pointed out.
On the power sharing concept in BN Sarawak, he said no race in Sarawak can govern the state without working together with others as a team.
“I hope PBB continues to be strong so that it will continue to become the protector of our interests through the spirit of consensus,” he said further.
Commenting on the development of Miri, Awang Tengah, who is also Deputy Chief Minister, said Miri had changed a lot the past 60 years.
“I have seen these changes since I was studying in Kolej Tuanku Haji Bujang in Tanjong Lobang. Miri now has a population of more than 370,000 due to rapid development here, people outside Miri come and work and migrate here.
“This is result of our party’s struggle,” he said.
At the same occasion, he promised to look for RM150,000 for building the roof of Tudan futsal courts and other facilities.