The Borneo Post

Riot slams bid to oust him, SUPP from Serian

- By Samuel Aubrey reporters@theborneop­ost.com

SERIAN: Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) deputy president Datuk Seri Richard Riot Jaem has slammed a group that is apparently trying to oust him and SUPP from the Serian parliament­ary seat.

According to the six-term Serian MP, the group, claiming to be Barisan Nasional (BN) friendly, has been moving in his constituen­cy.

“Do you want to steal Serian from me and SUPP? Over my dead body,” he said when presenting grants at Dewan Masyarakat Serian yesterday.

The Human Resources Minister, who is also SUPP’s sole parliament­arian, said he will see to it that Serian remains with SUPP, and he is ready for any

Do you want to steal Serian from me and SUPP? Over my dead body. — Datuk Seri Richard Riot Jaem, Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) deputy president

challenge.

Riot added that SUPP president Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian had said, in private and in public, that he remained the party’s choice to defend Serian during the next parliament­ary election.

“I will not be overconfid­ent, and I don’t want my supporters to be overconfid­ent, but let’s set our sights on working for a bigger majority,” he said.

Riot first won Serian as an independen­t in 1990 before joining SUPP three years later.

In 2013, he won the seat by a 13,151vote majority in a three-cornered fight.

Meanwhile, 118 recipients comprising village security and developmen­t committees (JKKKs), clubs and associatio­ns received grants totalling RM1.35 million.

Riot warned that those who failed to submit expenditur­e statements to his office may find it hard to get grants in future.

“I am going to be strict on this because I want to ensure that the funds are well spent,” he said

 ??  ?? Riot presents a cheque to a group of recipients. SUPP Serian Youth chairman McAlister Richard is at right.
Riot presents a cheque to a group of recipients. SUPP Serian Youth chairman McAlister Richard is at right.

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