All clear for Riot to win by landslide in Serian

SERIAN: It is a full house support from almost all the village chiefs in Serian for incumbent Dato Sri Richard Riot Jaem to win big and to ensure that he will retain his full minister’s post.

According to ketua kaum of Kampung Riih Mawang Peter Kiang Sai, Riot has reached political maturity as he is now in the best position to continue to become a full minister in the federal cabinet.

“Our full support is for Dato Sri Richard Riot to win with a much bigger majority in this 14th general election (GE14) so that he can continue to serve as a full minister in the federal cabinet,” Kiang told The Borneo Post.

Kiang was one of the 187 village chiefs and community leaders from all over Serian parliamentary constituency who came to give their support to Riot at a special gathering at Dewan Sri Riot, Kampung Piching, some 12 km from here yesterday.

Giving an analogy, he said supporting Riot is akin to letting a durian tree bear fruit which when ripened would benefit all races in Serian.

“We have been very blessed with the appointment of Dato Sri Richard as a full cabinet minister. He has been very caring to us in providing what we need with his minor rural project (MRP) grants and no one is left out,” said Kiang, who is also secretary of the Serian Division Bidayuh Community Leaders’ Association.

An Iban village chief Melin Sunang opined that since her appointment as the first female Iban village chief of Kampung Belimbing in 2010, Riot had been helpful in instilling the spirit of independence among the womenfolk through various programmes which he (Riot) introduced as Minister of Human Resources such as cooking, tailoring and bakery.

“He sees the importance of the role of women in our society. And every time we need his assistance, he will assist. As voters, I am sure other women in Serian will fully back him to defend the seat,” said Melin.

A Chinese woman village chief Chong Siew Khim of Kampung Tangga Pulau Tamba Cina, Serian, said the Chinese in her village had been supportive of Riot, who is also deputy president of SUPP.

“But the young Chinese voters especially those below 45 years old tend to be carried away by their peers to support the DAP for whatever reasons. But let’s be frank, we Chinese are practical people. If we sense that he is a good YB, like Dato Sri Richard Riot, we will support him,” said Chong.

Another woman village chief, Ketua Kaum Salmiah Jamil of Kampung Bedup Sungai Buluh Serian, said Riot had been kind to them and did not discriminate against them even though as Bidayuh Muslims they are a minority.

“He takes care of us. During fasting month and even during Hari Raya, he would come and visit us and offer assistance. Because of that, we like him to continue to serve us in Serian and we have very high hope that he will be retained as a full minister,” added Salmiah.

State PBB Wanita supreme council member Jenny Jita said Riot and other elected representatives in Serian; namely Tebedu assemblyman Dato Sri Michael Manyin Jawong, Kedup assemblyman Martin Ben and Bukit Semuja assemblyman John Ilus had worked as a team in bringing development to Serian Division.

“Team Serian under these four YBs have been working closely to plan what is best for Serian Division. It is because of their planning that Serian was elevated into a division in 2015,” said Jita.

Meanwhile, Riot urged his supporters to come out in full force to vote on Wednesday so that the BN will win with a much bigger majority.

“BN can win here in Serian, but we cannot take things for granted but to continue to work hard until the last vote is countered.

“So, I hope that come poling day, supporters will come in full force to cast their votes for BN,” added the sixth-term MP and caretaker Minister of Human Resources. He pointed out that the federal government under his ministry has set up the Serian Industrial Training Institute which cost RM300 million and is expected to be completed in 33 months.

It is the fourth of such institute built in Sarawak after Miri, Bintulu and Kota Samarahan. Its main focus is to train youngsters for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) to meet the country’s need by 2020 when 60 per cent of the expected 1.5 million jobs will require TVET qualification.

“And the federal cabinet has approved the allocation to upgrade the Tebedu customs, immigrations and quarantine (CIQ) into an international standard CIQ complex by July. This is a big contribution and recognition for Serian by the federal government,” said Riot.