DEBAK — Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Saribas has stepped up training for election workers as the branch prepares for the 13th Sarawak state election, with its leadership reporting a substantial increase in the constituency’s registered voters.
The branch held an election machinery coordination programme and briefing for polling station and counting agents, commonly referred to as PACA, at Dewan Perpaduan in Debak on 7 November. Sessions covered organisational readiness, campaign coordination and workers’ roles and responsibilities during the electoral process.
According to a report by Utusan Sarawak, PBB Supreme Council member and Saribas branch chief Datuk Dr Mohammad Razi Sitam officiated at the closing ceremony. He also briefed participants on political preparations, party membership and the state government’s development priorities.
Razi said the dissolution of the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly on 26 October had opened the way for the election. He said the Election Commission had set nomination day for 28 November, early voting for 8 December and polling day for 12 December.
Razi urged branch leaders, sub-branch committee members and grassroots workers to improve coordination and maintain unity as Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) prepares to contest the election.
He attributed the coalition’s past performance in Saribas to cooperation across the party organisation and support from voters. He also said results from the 2011, 2016 and 2021 state elections indicated growing support for GPS and PBB in the constituency.
The branch is preparing to engage a larger electorate than at the previous state election. Razi said Saribas had 17,383 registered voters under the September 2026 Permanent Electoral Roll, compared with 10,984 at the 2021 election.
That represents an increase of 6,399 voters. He attributed the growth to automatic registration for eligible Malaysian citizens aged 18 and above, alongside voters transferring their polling locations.
On party membership, Razi said PBB Saribas had recorded 9,793 members as of October 2026. Recruitment efforts were continuing through registration counters at community programmes, in collaboration with the PBB office.
He also outlined the Sarawak government’s development priorities for Saribas, including projects under the Betong Division Development Agency. He linked those efforts to the Post-COVID-19 Development Strategy 2030, which sets out the state’s ambition to achieve developed, high-income and sustainable status by 2030.
The programme brought together party representatives involved in organisational work and election preparations. Those attending included Betong MP Dato Dr Richard Rapu, PBB Sarawak executive secretary Datuk Takun Sunggah and PBB Sarawak Supreme Working Council member Sulhi Saleh. — Sarawak Daily
