KUCHING, Dec 28: Serian MP Dato Sri Richard Riot should make way for capable young people even if he is given a chance to stand in the next state election, said Democratic Action Party (DAP) Serian youth chief Brolin Nicholsion.
“I believe there are a lot of educated young people in Serian who are willing to fight for a better Serian and (want to) make sure Serian will continue to develop,” he said in a press statement today.
Brolin, who is also special officer to Padungan assemblyman Wong King Wei, pointed out that there was not much changes in Serian even though Riot has served the area as a member of parliament since elected in 1990s.
“It is time to give youth a chance to lead with their ideologies and what they believe is better for Serian and Sarawak,” he said.
Instead, Brolin urged Riot to groom and mentor educated and capable youth from Serian, especially from the Bidayuh community, so they can lead Serian and Sarawak to greater heights and prosperity.
“As a former deputy minister and full fledged minister, you (Riot) are the right person to groom the young ones so that Sarawak will not be lacking of incredible leaders in the future,” he added.
He was responding to Riot’s statement published in DayakDaily yesterday (Dec 27) in which he brushed aside rumours and speculation that he would stand in the upcoming state election but insisted that he would if he is require.
He highlighted that there were not many young Bidayuhs representing their community while same old politicians kept running for office for years.
“The youngest Bidayuh elected representating is Mas Gading (MP Mordi Bimol).
“(So) Even if you are given the chance to stand for the state election in the last minute, you should make way for young people. Even the late Tan Sri Adenan Satem believed in young people, (so) why can’t you (Riot) do the same?,” he said.
Brolin reiterated his call for Riot to groom educated and potential young Bidayuhs so that the community can know how much they have developed.
Meanwhile, Riot, who is a six term MP of Serian and sole Sarawak United People Party (SUPP) elected representative in Parliament, said coming back to serve in the state would be an honour.
He is currently quite active in the constituency after recovering from sickness.— DayakDaily
