Intrigues in the three Bidayuh seats

WITH a population of slightly over 200,000, which makes about eight per cent of Sarawak’ total population of 2.8 million people, the Bidayuhs have been blessed in many ways as most of them live in the periphery of major towns and cities in the state.

In the political front, before the dissolution of parliament, the three Bidayuh MPs in BN – Dato Sri Richard Riot Jaem (Serian), Datuk Seri Dr James Dawos Mamit ( Puncak Borneo) and Datuk Anthony Nogeh Gumbek ( Mas Gading) – created history of sorts as all of them were members of the federal cabinet. And Riot was the first Bidayuh to be appointed as a full federal minister while both Dawos and Nogeh were deputy ministers.

The three have been rewarded for obvious reasons because the community has proven to be an ardent BN supporter in the past three decades. And at the state level, all the state seats (eight) allocated to the community are all under BN, albeit in various BN component parties.

With that kind of record, political pundits continue to believe that the three seats are considered safe, especially when BN continued to put its hope in Riot, who is a sixth term MP and SUPP deputy president, and Nogeh, who is caretaker Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry, while newcomer Jeannoth Sinel has been entrusted to defend Puncak Borneo in this 14th general election (GE14).

A survey on the ground indicated that Riot should prevail in Serian. But a recent interview with him indicated that he is now facing the toughest political battle in his life as he is not just facing DAP’s Edward Luak and independent candidate Senior Rade, but also the high stake of a full federal ministership.

“This GE14 is crucial for us not just to win but to win with a much bigger majority,” said Riot to his ardent supporters before setting them off for the campaign trail that will cover all the nooks and corners of Serian on Wednesday night.

The greatest fear his supporters highlighted is that the party’s president Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian is contesting in the election and if he wins against state DAP stalwart Chong Chieng Jen in Stampin, the likelihood of him taking over the quota of the party’s post in the Federal Cabinet from Riot is real and present.

And should that scenario happen, SUPP secretary-general Datuk Sebastian Ting, who is contesting in Miri, has been tipped to take over from Dr Sim in the state cabinet. This speculation can become a reality regardless whether Ting wins or loses in Miri, as he is already the assemblyman of Piasau.

But Riot being Riot is unperturbed by this intrigue and speculation on the ground and insisted that to prevail he must win with a much bigger margin compared to his 13,151 majority in the previous general election.

As for Mas Gading, Nogeh has no real daunting issue and BN-PDP should be able to sail through easily against DAP’s Mordi Bimol in a straight fight, especially with the strength and support from both Tasik Biru assemblyman Dato Henry Jinep and Opar assemblyman Dato Ranum Mina.

Now, the most intriguing area to focus on is Puncak Borneo, where Jeannoth is facing a fierce battle against Willie Mongin of PKR and Buln Patrick Robos of STAR.

But with Willie able to dig up issue after issue against Jeannoth, the BN camp, led by PBB senior vice-president and Minister of Education, Science and Technological Research Dato Sri Michael Manyin Jawong, has been very busy in countering allegations against Jeannoth.

Despite that, BN with its mighty machinery is still confident of pulling through as in the very words of Serembu assemblyman Miro Simuh: “The survey on the ground is still positive and the chance for the BN to win is there. And our target is to win regardless of the majority”.

That being said, Miro believes that Jeannoth can consolidate the voters if he is given the five-year mandate.