Sarawak needs you until 2030, PBB veteran tells Abang Jo

A Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) veteran has appealed to Sarawak premier Abang Johari Openg not to step down from the top post, after hints by the PBB president that this could be his final year in office.

PBB’s Peter Minos said the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) chairman should serve another full term and lead the Bornean state until 2030, Borneo Post reported.

Abang Johari turns 80 in 2030.

“Put frankly, we need our really good and brilliant premier for one more term. That is five more years from now

“I still believe his last term in office should be until 2030. I think that is the right timing,” the Serian district council chairman was quoted as saying.

Minos said many Sarawakians were already asking who would take over as premier from Abang Johari, saying the GPS chairman had set “an extremely high” standard.

“It is so high that it is almost impossible to find another leader who is equal or better (than Abang Johari). In PBB, there are, of course, a few aspiring ones,” he said.

On Sunday, Abang Johari said PBB was preparing a new generation of leaders to ensure a smooth transition, adding that a leadership succession was inevitable.

He also hinted that he might no longer serve as Sarawak premier after the next state election, saying: “Perhaps this is my final year. You cannot go against nature, even if your heart is young.”

The state assembly’s term expires in February, unless it is dissolved earlier, after which an election must be held within 60 days.

Abang Johari has been Sarawak premier since January 2017, when he took over from Adenan Satem who died of a heart attack while in office.