By Jacob Achoi
KUCHING, April 22: Deputy Minister of Transport I Datuk Dr Jerip Susil has denied saying that Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) can no longer lay claim to the Mambong seat.
He said his statement made two weeks ago was “misinterpreted, over read and instigated”.
He said he was merely asking the Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Mambong branch to stay loyal, united and people-centric to be worthy for the party to claim the seat.
“When I officiated at the Semadang PBB sub-branch about two weeks ago, I asked party members to be loyal, united and to work for the people, and with these three principles, we can be seen as worthy to claim the seat.
“Never did I say that SUPP can no longer claim the seat anymore,” Dr Jerip told reporters today after distributing ‘bubur lambuk’ to about 160 Bidayuh Muslims at the Padawan sub-district office in Bayur, Jalan Borneo Heights.
Dr Jerip, who is the Mambong assemblyman said this when asked by reporters about SUPP Mambong chairwoman Datin Jennifer Chee who was unhappy about his statement, and had urged Dr Jerip be humble and not arrogant.
“My statement (made in Semadang) was misunderstood… I never said that SUPP cannot claim the seat anymore,” Dr Jerip asserted.
On the ‘bubur lambuk’ distribution event, Dr Jerip said it was to show that people of different races and religions in the area are living harmoniously.
“In every village, there are Christians and Muslims living in peace and harmony, and it is not only in Mambong, but other areas, which shows that Sarawak is very peaceful,” Dr Jerip stressed.
Also present at the event were Sarawak Administrative Officer (SAO) from Padawan sub-district office Julius Scott Sapong and Temenggong Austin Dimin Niyon, among others. — DayakDaily
