By Roslan Mutu
SERIAN, Nov 13: P199 Serian incumbent Dato Sri Richard Riot Jaem wants to see Serian Division reach greater heights in the next five years.
“Through my experience, I can bring Serian to greater heights. Everyone knows that I was a former Deputy Foreign Minister, then as former Minister of Human Resources and currently as Duta Khas (Special Envoy) to the Prime Minister for East Asia with ministerial status.
“With all those experiences. I’m confident that I can bring Serian to greater heights. Serian is already developing well. Mind you, Serian is the youngest division in Sarawak.
“My vision is to make Serian greater, if not as great as other divisions in Sarawak despite the fact that we are still very a young division,” Riot told the media after launching the GPS Women’s election machinery at Dewan Sri Riot, Kampung Piching, some 10km from here today.
On a related issue, Riot expressed hope that the Immigration, Customs and Quarantine (ICQ) office in Tebedu will have a new complex to meet the rising demand related to border crossings between Sarawak and Kalimantan.
“The federal government has approved RM100 million and our YAB Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has agreed on ‘one to one’ basis, meaning if the federal government allocates RM100 million, then the State government will also allocate RM100 million. ICQ Tebedu is crucial as it is the only international gateway between Malaysia and Indonesia,” he said.
He also highlighted the need to further develop the Tebedu Inland Port which has been left abandoned.
“Once the Tebedu Inland Port is properly developed, then it will bring much benefit to the people of Serian,” he said.
Meanwhile, Riot, 71, has been Serian MP since 1990. He said he is still very fit and ready to continue to serve the constituents.
When asked about his age, Riot responded: “Age is just a number. But I won’t want to answer that question because I’m both physically and morally fit. There are those who are still running for office at 78. And yet another one is already 96,” he said, adding that he still plays badminton to keep himself fit.
Riot is the Gabungan Parti Sarawak-Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (GPS-SUPP) candidate for P199 Serian in the 15th General Election. — DayakDaily
