PBB Women’s Wing backs Premier’s discretion on allocating more seats to women

KUCHING (Feb 6): The Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Women’s Wing has expressed full support for any decision by Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg on whether more seats should be allocated to women candidates in the upcoming state election.

Its chief, Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah, said the matter ultimately rests with the Premier’s prerogative, stressing that the wing stands firmly behind his leadership and judgment.

“As we all know, in the end it is up to the Yang Amat Berhormat Premier, and as we mentioned earlier, we stand firmly behind and fully support whatever will be decided by the Premier. It is his prerogative,” she said.

“For the PBB Women’s Wing, we use our discretion because we know the Premier understands the feelings and instincts of a woman,” she added.

Fatimah was speaking at a press conference after chairing the PBB Women’s Supreme Council meeting for the 2025–2028 term at the party headquarters here.

She was responding to a question on whether the women’s wing would seek more seats should its support base continue to grow, particularly if the proposed 17 additional seats, which would bring the total to 99 seats in the Sarawak state legislative assembly, materialise before the election.

Fatimah, who is also State Minister of Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development, earlier revealed that PBB women’s membership had reached 181,850 as of Feb 5 this year.

She said the figure was significant compared to the party’s overall membership of 379,833 recorded on Nov 21, 2025.

“From last year, we found a very convincing increase of 1,393 in terms of women membership,” she said.

She noted that the growth reflected strong grassroots support among women, who are regarded as a key contributing factor to Gabungan Parti Sarawak’s (GPS) electoral strength.

During the meeting, the wing also reiterated its unwavering support for the Sarawak Premier’s leadership in advancing the state and defending Sarawak’s rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).

It further endorsed the Premier’s agenda in the digital economy, green technology, sustainable development and the pursuit of high-income state status.

In addition, the wing congratulated the Sarawak government on the takeover and return of Bintulu Port to the state, describing it as an important and historic achievement in asserting Sarawak’s rights.

With the current State Legislative Assembly term set to end in February 2027, Fatimah called on all 82 branches and their respective sub-branches to strengthen grassroots machinery and remain united, committed, focused and disciplined to ensure a strong victory for all GPS candidates in the next state election.