KUCHING, Sept 23 — Twenty-six branches of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Sarawak (PBB) from the southern zone today pledged their continued support to Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg as the state premier and party president. They said this is to maintain the existing political stability in Sarawak and Malaysia.

Their pledged support was one of the resolutions read out by PBB senior vice-president Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof and adopted at the party special convention held in conjunction with Sarawak’s 60 years of independence this year.

They also said they will continue to give support and confidence towards the leadership of PBB and Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) to ensure that rights enshrined in Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), Inter-Governmental Committee (IGC) Report 1962 and Federal Constitution be returned to Sarawak as promised by the unity government.

The branches also gave their support to the strategic steps by PBB and GPS in joining other parties to form the federal unity government, and at the same time, demanded mutual cooperation and respect from federal leaders towards Sarawak’s bid to regain its rights.

"We, PBB members, pledged to ensure the dominant status and role of PBB continue to be maintained as the backbone to the GPS leadership and Sarawak government,” they said.

They also said that GPS component parties, when taking steps and making decisions that may affect the spirit, strength, understanding and stability within GPS, should be first referred to the right channel.

"Any steps and decisions must be reached by way of discussions and must get the full agreement of PBB and other component parties,” they said.

They also wanted Sarawak’s objective to be a developed state status and high income by the year 2030 be achieved through the implementation of the Post-Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030.

The 26 branches also pledged their full support towards the new economy based on green and hydrogen economy and the initiatives mooted by Abang Johari to transform the state’s economy based MA63, IGC Report, Federal Constitution and Memorandum of Understanding of the unity government signed on December 16, 2022.

Lastly, they also pledged to ensure that the existing unity among the people with different races, religions and cultures continued to be nurtured and strengthened so they will continue to live in peace and harmony.