KUCHING, Oct 3 — Parti Pesaka Bumiputra Bersatu’s newest wing, Belia 18, will make its debut at the party’s Betong zone special convention this weekend, party deputy president Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah said today.

He said delegates from the wing will be among the 1,500 attendees expected at the convention to be held at the Dewan Tan Sri Kalong Ningkan in Betong on October 8 in conjunction with the 60 years of Sarawak’s independence celebration.

He said the wing, for youths aged 18 to 28, represents a special group of generations.

"They will be given the opportunity to air their views and to join in the discussions for the resolutions. We want to know their aspirations and inspirations,” he said here.

He added it was also very important to guide the youthful members on the past and present struggles of the party.

"It is through such struggles, steadfast commitment and members’ unity and loyalty that PBB has been instrumental in bringing the success, progress and prosperity in the state to the level that we now witness and enjoy,” he said.

He said PBB hopes the Belia 18 wing can continue with the party’s struggles in the more challenging future political landscape.

Uggah, who is Bukit Saban (in Betong) PBB branch chairman, added the recruitment of the Belia 18 members was part and parcel of the party ongoing members and leadership grooming exercises, adding that they are going to be a very important future force.

He said party needs to groom them to be future leaders, not only of the party but also the state.

"They need to climb up the leadership ladder one step at a time and in the process will acquire good leadership skills, wisdom and experiences,” he said.

At the Betong zone convention — the second after the Kuching zone which was held on September 23 — Uggah, who is its organising chairman, said he has directed all 14 PBB branches in Betong zone to include their Belia wing members to attend.

He said party president Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg will open the convention.

PBB triennial convention in 2022 approved amendments to the party constitution to enable the formation of Belia 18 wing following the amendment to the Federal Constitution to reduce the voting age from 21 to 18 years.