PBB will continue to introduce new faces in every election, says Abang Johari

KUCHING, April 19 2026: Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersau ({PBB) will continue to introduce new faces in every election,” its president Abanhg Johari Openg (picture) told reporters at a press conference today.

He said this approach is important to ensure the stability of the party as well as to provide space for the younger generation to gain experience in politics.

“PBB and other GPS component parties  always open opportunities for young people to learn from experienced leaders.

"We all started from the bottom, including myself who came through the wing of the PBB Youth Movement and this process allows us to learn before taking on greater responsibilities," he said after the GPS convention.

Abang Johari also reminded that each individual has different abilities and needs to move according to their own suitability without rushing.

He stressed the importance of sincerity and patience in political struggle and reminded not to be easily discouraged if not given an opportunity.

H said it is clear that the leadership transition must be carried out in a balanced manner without affecting the role of existing leaders.

"In PBB, at least five or six new faces will be introduced every election to ensure continuity," he explained.

The same approach also involves the women's wing as an effort to strengthen the party's structure as a whole.

He stressed that any differences of opinion within the party should be resolved internally through discussions to maintain the family spirit within GPS.

Sarawak strengthening new energy strategy as long-term resilience bulwark

KUCHING, April 19 2026: Sarawak is strengthening its new energy strategy as a long-term resilience bulwark, thus increasing the state's preparedness in facing global uncertainties, especially involving fluctuations in fuel prices. 

Caption: Premier and GPS chairman Abang Johari Openg (second from right) at the opening of GPS convention on Sunday.

Premier Abang Johari Openg said that the dependence on conventional fuels such as diesel which is exposed to geopolitical pressures demands an immediate transition to alternative energy sources that are more stable and sustainable.

According to him, current technological advances are also accelerating the potential of hydrogen energy as a more competitive and viable option.

“With today's diesel prices, hydrogen production will be much cheaper than diesel.

“The electrolysis process will be much cheaper because of the new membrane in technology and this diesel with the current geopolitical pressures, I don't think it will end in this era. Problems will arise. I mean, alternative energy will be used and we are lucky. Sarawak is ready,” he said.

He said this at a press conference after the opening ceremony of the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) Convention at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) today.

He added that the readiness was also translated into the expansion of renewable energy use in rural areas, including the solar energy initiative in Baram which previously relied on diesel generators.

Clearly, the implementation of the Sarawak Alternative Rural Electricity Scheme (SARES) based on solar energy not only reduces dependence on diesel, but also helps protect rural communities from the effects of rising fuel prices, thus ensuring that the well-being of the people is maintained.

Also present during the press conference were Deputy Premier Douglas Uggah Embas, Deputy Premier and Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP) president Dr Sim Kui Hian, Deputy Premier Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) president John Sikie Tayai, Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) deputy president Henry Harry Jinep and Parti Pesaka Bumi[utera Bersatu (PBB) secretary-general Alexander Nanta Linggi.

Sarawak govt agrees to pay RM1.8 billion, plus goodwill,for the take-over of Bintulu Port from Putrajaya, says premier

KUCHING, April 19 2026: The Sarawak government has agreed to pay RM1.8 billion compensation for the take-over of Bintulu Port from the federal government, Premier Abang Johari Openg (picture) disclosed at the opening of a one-day Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) convention here today.

He said the federal government asked for a RM4.8 billion compensation for the take-over of the country’s premier liquefied natural gas (LNG) port during a discussion that he attended with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Transport Minister Anthony Loke and Deputy Premier Douglas Uggah.

“Based on my mathematical calculation, if the value of assets is RM1.1 billion, how was it that we were asked to pay RM4.8 billion compensation.

“I told PMX and Loke we could not pay the amount,” he said.

“I told them we would pay the most RM1.8 billion, plus goodwill,” the premier said.

He said the port is now fully owned by the state.

The premier said the take-over of Bakun dam is a blessing to Sarawak.

He added if it remains with the federal government, the state government would not have a say in fixing the electricity tariff rates.

He said fixing the tariff rates would be determined by the federal government.

The premier expressed his grateful to former Prime Minister Najib Razak who agreed for Sarawak to take over Bakun dam.

“During the discussion, Najib said the federal government was prepared to hand over Bakun dam if Sarawak was prepared to pay RM2.5 billion compensation.

“Without hesitation, I accepted to the price,” he said.

The premier said the state government has fully paid the amount in six installments within six months of the take-over.

Sarawak's strength lies in the unity and stability of GPS, says PRS president

KUCHING, April 19 2026: Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) president John Sikie Tayai stressed that one of Sarawak's greatest strengths today is the unity and political stability through Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS).

John Sikie Tayai: Another responsibility of GPS is to safeguard the rights and interests of Sarawak within the Federation of Malaysia.

He said he believes that it is the strength of GPS in the State Legislature and in the unity of the GPS government that has earned Sarawak the respect and attention from the Federal Government.

“But the dominance of GPS in the State Legislature and the strong GPS government are not invulnerable,” he said in his speech at the GPS convention gere.

“An opposition causing a GPS component losing a seat would weaken GPS by that much. This we should never allow because it weakens our stance in dealing with the federal government,” he added.

He said the formation of GPS demonstrated that when “we put Sarawak first, we can achieve extraordinary progress.”

Sikie, who is also the Minister in the Premier’s Department, said another responsibility of GPS is to safeguard the rights and interests of Sarawak within the Federation of Malaysia.

“These rights are enshrined in the Malaysia Agreement 1963,” he said, adding that they represent the foundation upon which our partnership within Malaysia was built.

Sikie also said the smaller and not-so-well-endowed component of GPS, such as us in PRS, are worried all the time seeing danger looming in the horizon as the state election becomes closer.

“However, we do comfort ourselves with the hope that our partners in the GPS would stay together behind us, ensuring each other's state legislative assembly (SLA) seats be safeguarded together, in order to achieve total domination by GPS in the State Legislature,” he added

He added only by GPS domination of the State Legislature and by maintaining strong government in “the state do we ensure that Sarawak gets the attention and respect of the federal government”, stressing that maintaining strong state government is the common concern of all the GPS component parties.