BETONG, Nov 4: Former deputy chief minister of Sarawak, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu Numpang, hopes that P204 Betong will continue to be a stronghold of the ruling government.
He said Betong voters had been the most staunch supporters of the government for the past 40 years.
“I hope the status quo will remain in the coming 15th General Election (GE15),” he said before a Miring (offering) ceremony to honour the new Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) candidate for Betong, Dr Richard Rapu, held at Dr Richard’s longhouse in Danau here today.
Jabu said Dr Richard, a veterinarian by training, is among the new crop of leaders being groomed.
“Let us all go out in full force to support him. Then, in the next two weeks after the nomination, let us all work very hard and be united to ensure he wins with a strong majority.
“Then, in the coming five years, he will be able to give us his service as a representative of the GPS government,” he added.
On GPS, Jabu described it as the strongest, most united, and most relevant political platform for all Sarawakians.
He mentioned that the three state constituencies under Betong, namely Layar, Bukit Saban and Saribas, have each been allocated a development budget of RM200 million under the newly formed Betong Division Development Agency (BDDA).
“Thus, a win for Dr Richard would mean all its development projects and programmes could proceed smoothly,” he emphasised.
Last night (Nov 3), a similar ceremony for Dr Richard was held at Jabu’s longhouse in Gensurai near here.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, Betong incumbent Datuk Robert Lawson Chuat, Layar assemblyman Datuk Gerald Rentap, and his mother, Datin Patinggi Tan Sri Empiang Jabu, attended the function. — DayakDaily
