KUCHING, Nov 8: Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas asserts that Dr Richard Rapu is a worthy successor to the Betong parliamentary constituency.
Former Betong Member of Parliament (MP) Datuk Robert Lawson Chuat has voluntarily declined to be re-nominated for the 15th General Election (GE15), making way for a younger leader, Dr Richard.
Dr Richard, 59, a political secretary to the Premier of Sarawak, has taken the baton from Chuat and is running for the first time in GE15.
According to a press release, Uggah emphasised that Dr Richard, a veterinarian by training, is qualified because he has served under him in Betong parliamentary and then Bukit Saban state constituencies for around 14 years.
He made the remarks today at two election briefings for 11 Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) sub branches at two different venus in Spaoh.
Dr Richard, as per Uggah, also had the necessary exposure.
“He joined me when I was a federal minister and worked as a political secretary to the Prime Minister for eight years since 2008.
“In 2016, when I returned to the State cabinet, he joined me as the political secretary to the Sarawak Premier until the present day.
“He has travelled the length and breadth of Betong numerous times with me and Chuat and has been of great assistance to us,” Uggah said.
He went on to say that as a result, Dr Richard has an intimate understanding of the rural situations in Betong, as well as the people’s expectations and hardships.
Furthermore, Uggah added that Chuat informed him and former Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Datuk Patinggi Alfred Jabu of Chuat’s decision to leave politics six months ago.
“We persuaded him to stay, but he said he had made the decision to hand over the reins to a new and younger leader.
“So we had a discussion, and based on our observations, Dr Richard is the best candidate to succeed Chuat.
“Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg also agrees. As a result, we hope that all Betong voters, including the Undi18 Bill and new voters, will fully support Dr Richard as Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) candidate,” he emphasised.
Uggah also thanked Chuat for his service and for voluntarily stepping down.
“This is a PBB tradition in which older leaders will willingly step down on their own accord to make way for new leaders.
“This is PBB’s strength too,” he pointed out.
Regarding the upcoming election, Uggah who is also GPS election director, advised citizens to be wary of those who manipulate sensitive emotions to win votes.
“Anang Sesat Di bai Antu Kamba (Do not be led astray by the mischievous Kamba forest evil spirit).
“Semanjung and racial issues have no place in a racially harmonious and united Sarawak. Let us keep it that way. All races need to respect each other.” — DayakDaily
