KUCHING: The Parti Gabungan Sarawak (GPS) will field several young candidates to contest in the upcoming 12th State Election.
According to its chairman, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg described it as a probationary period and early exposure for the young people who are the backbone of the party leadership.
“I admit we (GPS) will introduce one to three young candidates between the ages of 30 and 40 to contest in this coming election,” he said.
Abang Johari who is also the caretaker chief minister said this in a session with the Sarawak Public Communication Unit (Ukas) at the Borneo Kuching Convention Centre (BCCK) here, yesterday.
According to the Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) president, young leaders are in fact needed not only for PBB alone but also as a component in the GPS.
“I am now old, one day I will retire. So we must have a backup leader. Even now there are young leaders. Therefore, we (veteran leaders) must guide and train them properly,” he stressed, adding that young leaders should have a character that is accepted by people of all walks of life.
At the same time, Abang Johari also advised young leaders not to get carried away with emotions throughout their political careers.
He said based on his observations (on his political colleagues), leaders who are emotional and overly hasty usually fall.
“There’s an analogy I often use which is a speed boat — if it’s too fast, we’ll hit a stick and be thrown out, but if we’re steady, following the waves, we’ll be safe,” he explained.
Earlier, PBB vice-president Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah stated that the party would feature 20 to 30 percent new faces to contest in the coming state election.
According to him, each party has its approach, especially in grooming new faces to be featured, especially in elections.
