KUCHING, Nov 5: Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) candidate for the Betong parliamentary seat, 59-year-old Dr Richard Rapu, is confident that the party will win in P204 Betong.
“I am confident of winning as I had made my preparations for quite a while,” Dr Richard told reporters today after successfully submitting his nomination papers to Election Commission (EC) returning officer Alfred Geling Ason.
Dr Richard, a veterinarian by training and a political secretary to the Premier of Sarawak, was proposed by Bukit Saban assemblyman and the Deputy Premier of Sarawak Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas and seconded by Saribas assemblyman Mohamad Razi Sitam.
He will face Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) candidate Patrick Kamis, 58, and an independent candidate Hasbie Satar, 48, in Betong during the 15th general election (GE15).
“I am very fortunate because both Uggah, Mohd Razi, and Layar assemblyman Datuk Gerald Rentap Jabu, have all worked very hard in their respective constituencies which make up the Betong seat.
“Together, they have done a lot in contributing to Betong’s development.
“As a rookie politician, I will need a lot of support and guidance from them, especially Uggah, a veteran politician and the Deputy Premier of Sarawak,” he said.
Dr Richard went on to say that if he wins, his responsibility will be to work closely with them to supplement their efforts and initiatives in making Betong more progressive.
“I hope Betong voters will give me their fullest support to ensure Betong stays with GPS.
“Their strong support too will reciprocate our Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg’s graciousness in approving the formation of the Betong Division Development Agency (BDDA),” he added.
He also stated that the BDDA is poised to raise the bar in Betong’s future progress and prosperity.
“We must not allow such a strategic plan and programme to go to waste. So I urge all voters when they go to the polls on Nov 19 to cast their votes for me,” Dr Richard asserted.
More than 2,000 GPS leaders and supporters accompanied Dr Richard to the nomination centre.
Uggah, Mohd Razi, Gerald Rentap, and former Betong MP Datuk Robert Lawson Chuat were among them. — DayakDaily
