KUCHING: The Youth and Women's wings of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) must prepare to attract young voters below the age of 30, who make up two-thirds of 675,077 new voters in Sarawak.

       PBB deputy president Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah (pic) said the new voters were added to the electoral roll as of Dec 31 last year following the implementation of Undi18 and automatic voter registration.

       "Of the new voters, 20% are aged 19 and 20 years, while 45% are in the 21-29 age group and 19% in the 30-39 age group.

       "This means 66% of the new voters are aged below 30 years," he said when opening the Women and Youth wings' triennial delegates' convention here on Friday (June 17).

       Uggah said both wings should come up with programmes suited to the interests and aspirations of young voters.

       "Their future is with us. Invite them to join PBB or the other component parties of Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS)," he said, adding that PBB would form a new section for those aged 18 to 28 years.

       Uggah also called on both wings to get ready for the coming general election and ensure a big win for GPS.

       "Let us win all 31 parliamentary seats in the coming polls. To do this, we must deliver what we promised in our manifesto for the last state election," he said.

       In this respect, he said the Women and Youth wings should clearly explain the state government's development policies to their members and to provide feedback on project implementation in their respective areas.

       "We need you to be our eyes and ears on the ground. Let us know if any projects are not implemented according to schedule or specifications," he said.

       Meanwhile, PBB secretary-general Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said the new youth section would not be a formal wing but would be part of the existing Youth wing.

       "We want to give space and opportunity for those aged 18 to 28 years to be in the party. It will be called 'Belia' and will include both men and women.

       "We hope they will continue to go on to the Youth and Women wings later," he told reporters after the opening ceremony.

       Nanta also said PBB would come up with programmes to absorb this cohort of youths into politics and nurture them as leaders of the future.

       "We open our doors to those who are interested in politics and those who we think can contribute in the future.

       "But we want to be careful too and not distract them from their studies if they are still in college or university," he said.