By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Feb 22: Serian MP Dato’ Sri Dr Richard Riot Jaem hopes that a Member of Parliament (MP) from the Bidayuh community, which makes up the fourth largest ethnic group in Sarawak, will be part of the Federal Cabinet of the unity government.
The Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) lawmaker emphasised that the unity government should be an inclusive government where all races are represented in the Cabinet.
“However, it would be great if the fourth largest ethnic group in Sarawak – the Bidayuh – are not left out.
“In this honourable House, we have three (Bidayuh) MPs namely from Serian (Riot himself), Puncak Borneo (Datuk Willie Mongin) and Mas Gading (Mordi Bimol). In a government that is inclusive, it would be great if a Bidayuh can also be made a member of the Cabinet,” he said when debating the Royal Address in Parliament, Kuala Lumpur yesterday (Feb 21).
Riot also congratulated the Iban community, which is represented by two full ministers and a deputy minister.
He was referring to Kapit MP Dato Sri Alexander Nanta Linggi who is the Minister of Works, Kanowit MP Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang who is the Minister of National Unity and Hulu Rajang MP Wilson Kumbong who is the Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah and Sarawak Affairs).
Riot added that the appointment of Dato Sri Fadillah Yusof as Deputy Prime Minister in the unity government was a significant and great honour for Sarawak.
“I want to take this opportunity to thank the 10th Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim) for appointing a Sarawakian to the post for the first time in history,” he said. — DayakDaily
