Riot eyes third biggest majority win in GE13 by Lester Mekan

SERIAN: The BN-SUPP Serian candidate Datuk Richard Riot is confident of scoring one of the highest majorities among all parliamentary constituencies in Malaysia for the third consecutive time come May 5 .
According to a local SPDP Women leader, Hilda Mayor, who is leading the Serian BN women team to campaign for Riot, it would not be wrong to assume that the incumbent MP would achieve more than the 13,000-vote majority he garnered in the last general election. This was based on the big turn-out of supporters at all his (Riot’s) campaign venues so far.
“With four more days to the big day, we are confident of getting even more support, especially from the womenfolk,” she said when leading more than 5,000 BN women members from throughout the district to yet another gathering in Mongkos near here yesterday.
An EC officer assigned to oversee the campaigning process in Serian concurred that even though there were always big attendance at Riot’s campaigning venues, the campaigning atmosphere was always peaceful and orderly.
Hilda, who is also a three-term councillor with Serian District Council, said that to score a landslide victory Riot though must work extra hard to get every vote even if it meant denying the opposition a vote come polling day.
She added that the big win would likely secure a full ministerial post for Riot who was deputy foreign minister in the last cabinet.
“I strongly believe that the prime minister will fulfil the wishes of voters in Serian as he did after the last elections when he (PM) initially made Riot a parliamentary secretary (post now abolished) and was months later made a deputy minister.” #myvote13 #ge13


Read more: http://www.theborneopost.com/2013/05/01/riot-eyes-third-biggest-majority-win-in-ge13/#ixzz2Rzm2LoJ3

SUPP unveils declaration with 10 pledges by Eve Sonary Heng

KUCHING: Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) unveiled its declaration with pledges which the party would pursue without fear or favour.

SUPP president Datuk Seri Peter Chin Fah Kui told a press conference yesterday that they would do their level best not only as a party but as a member of the Barisan Nasional (BN) to implement the pledges.
“SUPP shall pursue this declaration without fear or favour, pressing the needs and interests of all people in Sarawak,” he said.

The first agenda listed in the declaration is to fight against corruption, whereby the party would urge the relevant authority or authorities to take swift and drastic actions against any offender, irrespective of his political affiliation or positions in the government or outside the government.
The party will promote anti-corruption campaigns to gather evidence on corruption practices and take necessary action to achieve a zero-corruption society.

The second declaration is that SUPP would strongly request the federal government to speed up the recognition of the Chinese Unified Examination Certificate (UEC); while the third is to start the intake of students into Shanghai-Jiao Tong University of China (Sarawak Campus) in 2014. Chin said the Shanghai Jiao Tong University is the second Chinese university branch campus approved by the Malaysian government.
The fourth pledge is that the party would be requesting the Ministry of Housing to construct at least 100,000 units of affordable houses over the next five years to be priced below RM100,000 to cater for the lower income groups.

The fifth is that SUPP would strongly request the state government to set aside 500,000 acres of state land for smallholders who do not own land for farming purposes.
The sixth agenda is to complete the survey of native customary rights (NCR) land throughout the state within the next five years.

The seventh declaration is that they would urge the federal government and state government to ensure that the intake of new non-Bumiputera recruits into all levels of federal and state civil services be based on population ratios in the state.
As for the eighth agenda, SUPP would urge the federal and state authorities to revise their criteria for providing annual financial assistances to needy cases as well as senior citizens above the age of 60 years and to set an annual minimum of RM1,500 for each case.

In the ninth agenda, the party declared to open tender for all government projects and to urge both the state and federal governments to adopt the practice of awarding all government projects (including those of government agencies and government linked companies) by public tender or other transparent process.

Last but not the least; the 10th declaration is to speed up the up-grading of Pan Borneo Highway in the next five years.
“In pursuance to our commitment to play an effective role within the Barisan Nasional, SUPP undertakes to make all efforts to realise the above agenda to rectify any government shortcoming without fear or favour,” said Chin.


Read more: http://www.theborneopost.com/2013/04/24/supp-unveils-declaration-with-10-pledges/#ixzz2RtUbq1Uk

Najib confident of BN’s two-thirds majority in parliament By Lim How Pim

KUCHING: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak remains confident that Barisan Nasional can secure the two-thirds majority in Parliament come May 5.
Addressing the media after a ground-breaking ceremony for a new classroom block for Chung Hua Primary School No.2 here yesterday, he believed that Sarawak and Sabah would stay as BN’s fixed deposit states.

“We are still confident of winning two-thirds. I have seen improvement in Chinese-majority seats but I think we still need to work hard until polling day.
“I do not see any sign that Pakatan can win Sarawak and Sabah while rural constituencies are still Barisan Nasional’s stronghold. I believe rural people have realised that their future is with Barisan Nasional,” he said at the school in Tabuan Jaya Baru here.

Najib said BN did not expect SWP to wrest any seats from BN and he cited Lubok Antu as example, saying: “It is an area with over 90 per cent of Ibans. So we do not expect them to win.”

On talks that SWP – a relatively new party claiming to be BN-friendly – would align itself with BN after May 5: “I am not ruling out any possibility, but we do not expect them to win.”

“They are less hostile than Pakatan Rakyat, but their contesting still affects our chances of winning. When they stand in those seats, they are going against Barisan Nasional.”

Najib pointed out that BN had good track record in developing rural areas, and the various communities were aware of what the ruling coalition was capable of delivering.
He also had confidence in mixed constituencies including Stampin where he noted that BN’s candidates stood a good chance of winning.
On BN’s internal squabbles, he said some quarters might be unhappy with their candidates but the party’s machinery was committed to addressing relevant issues so as to ensure victory.
“A lot of issues have been looked into and resolved, and I can tell that internal conflicts among opposition parties are more serious than those of BN.”
Asked why he decided to visit constituents in Saratok and Lubok Antu earlier, Najib said he had limited time to conduct working visits in the state.
“You can argue why I go there or here, but choice has to be made.”
To a question on the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN), he said “it is a fair concept and not a financial burden to tax payers” in the country.
He explained that the government subsidised 90 per cent of the fund to enable young Malaysians to pursue tertiary education in the country.
Najib added that Pakatan’s plan to offer free higher education would not be viable as the move would entail higher taxation on the people.
“There is no such thing as a free lunch. Free higher education equals higher taxpaying. Is this the kind of model for this country?”
Among those present were Minister of Energy, Green Technology and Water Datuk Seri Peter Chin, Deputy Works Minister Datuk Yong Khoon Seng, who is also BN-SUPP’s candidate for Stampin, Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu Numpang, Minister of Tourism and Housing Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Abang Openg, BN-SUPP’s candidate for Bandar Kuching Tan Kai and Board of Management for Chung Hua Primary Schools No.1 to 6 chairman Dr Chou Chii Ming. #myvote13 #ge13


Read more: http://www.theborneopost.com/2013/04/28/najib-confident-of-bns-two-thirds-majority-in-parliament/#ixzz2RhyYN7Bf

Riot not swept off his feet by big crowd at nomination by Johnson K

KUCHING: The huge turnout of BN supporters in Serian on nomination day has not made their candidate Datuk Richard Riot over-confident.
“I, for one, am a person who never take the election lightly and will not be over-confident,” he told The Borneo Post yesterday.
According to him, he had been working hard on the ground and even harder after nomination day where this time around, he is facing Edward Andrew Luak (DAP) and Johnny Aput (STAR).
Riot, who is deputy foreign minister under the present caretaker government, however said he was tremendously overwhelmed by the strong support.
“On that day itself, we chartered 400 vehicles to ferry BN supporters from all 230 villages in Serian parliamentary constituency with each ‘kampung’ sending at least 10 supporters,” he enthused.
He, however, still appealed to voters from the various communities in Serian, including Chinese, Malays, Ibans, Bidayuhs and others to vote for him on polling day despite the show of support.
“What I want to say here is when elected, I will not represent only one particular community but representing all and to serve everyone in Serian. That is why I am appealing to other communities to come vote for me,” he said.
He also appealed to all voters in Mambong and Mas Gading, particularly the Bidayuh community, to give their votes to BN on polling day. He described Datuk Seri Dr James Dawos (Mambong), Anthony Nogeh Gumbek (Mas Gading) and himself as the hopes and pillars of the Bidayuh community which they should not destroy.
As for Serian, the seat had been rated by some people, including Kedup assemblyman Martin Ben, as a sure win for BN.
Martin said generally, the constituents were appreciative of the many developments taking place in the area and thus would continue to vote for BN.
“I don’t want to sound so cocky but I am very optimistic that BN will again retain Serian,” he said.
Martin believed that most voters in Serian would like to keep Riot in Parliament because they hoped to see him elevated to a full minister.
Meanwhile, an observer who did not want to be named, said this would be the best opportunity for the Bidayuh community to expect greater reward for their political struggle through the party.
“The reality now is, SUPP president Datuk Seri Peter Chin Fah Kui who was the only full minister from the party prior to the dissolution of parliament, is not defending his Miri seat this time.
“So automatically, the next one in the waiting list is none other than the deputy president, provided he wins the election, and of course people will also have to look at the majority margin,” he said.
In the 2008 general election, Riot won the seat comfortably with a majority of 13,427 votes in a straight fight against Sylvester Belayong Jayang from Sarawak National Party (SNAP). #myvote13 #ge13


Read more: http://www.theborneopost.com/2013/04/25/riot-not-swept-off-his-feet-by-big-crowd-at-nomination/#ixzz2RWJtkqsa

SERIAN: Where everyone knows each other by Rita Jong

Located about 65km away from Kuching, this busy little town Serian is also known as a 'passer-by' town. Those travelling from Kuching to places like Miri and Sibu, would definitely pass this 'cowboy' town.

With a population of more than 90,000, Serian itself is a parliamentary seat. Its incumbent Datuk Richard Riot Jaem has held on as MP for more than 20 years since he first won the seat in 1990.

Still, Serian has gone almost unnoticed by many. This small town, which predominantly consists Bidayuhs, is famous for its jungle products. They have a variety of vegetables and fruits found in the jungle, which are rarely seen in Peninsula Malaysia.

Among the famous ones are midin, paku pakis and buah luak. The vegetables are mostly grown in the wild and the natives would pluck and sell them at the Serian market. The midin and paku pakis are usually fried with sambal belacan and they are sold at a cheap price of RM1 a bundle.

Even natural loofahs are found here. A huge piece can be bought at just RM2.

But what stands out in Serian is the community that lives there. Families raise their children here and although their children would eventually leave to find better job opportunities in Peninsula, they would always return during festive season.

The town would always be bustling with people and traffic would literally come to a stand still during annual Gawai (Harvest festival).

But come May 5, the town would also come alive with most of the voters taking the opportunity to come home. After all, this is the place where everybody knows your name.


Read more: SERIAN: Where everyone knows each other - Latest - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/latest/serian-where-everyone-knows-each-other-1.258064#ixzz2RKW4knXT

GE13: Former SNAP men to push Barisan’s Riot all the way

SERIAN: Of the trio of candidates contesting in Serian, two are from the defunct but once formidable SNAP.

Edward Luwak is now contesting on the DAP ticket, while another ex-member, Johnny Bob, is standing as a STAR candidate.

Serian, a semi-rural constituency about 50km from Kuching, is seeing a three-way contest between Edward, Johnny and former five-term incumbent Datuk Richard Riot, who has served since 1990.

This is the first time voters here will be presented with a choice to vote for a national opposition party.

“I do believe people understand DAP is a party for all Malaysians. Voters here care just as much about corruption as they do local issues like native land controversies,” Edward told The Star after nomination.

Edward, who joined DAP over a year ago and is the party’s Serian chief, said the local Chinese community was already pro-Opposition, and that among the bumiputra, he had good support from other ex-SNAP members.

Recently, another former SNAP member, Sylvester Belayong, pledged to help Edward register some 3,000 Dayak members in Serian as DAP members.

However, STAR’s Johnny said Serian voters should not trust a national opposition party.

“I believe in Pakatan Borneo. We have always been sidelined by the parties from Peninsular Malaysia. So many issues can be linked to us being sidelined. A Sarawak- and Sabah-based opposition party can be more effective,” Johnny said.

To a question on the fact that Barisan Nasional’s component parties in Sarawak are state-based, Johnny replied: “Yes, they are local parties, but everybody knows the peninsula Barisan parties are overpowering.”

Johnny, who came with a small entourage — unlike Barisan and DAP’s hordes of supporters — said he had intended to contest since the 2006 general election.

“I gave way before (when in SNAP). This time, I’m accepted to stand. I have a good chance.”

Nomination day at Serian began early.

By 7am, supporters had gathered outside the offices of Riot and Serian DAP headquarters, which were only about 200m apart.

Riot has dominated prior elections in this bumiputra-majority constituency of 33,764 eligible voters. In 1990, standing as an Independent against Barisan, he achieved a shock win. In every subsequent election since, Riot, who has since joined SUPP and is its deputy president, has won with larger vote majorities.

He is also caretaker Deputy Foreign Minister.

In Serian, about 70% of voters are Bidayuhs, followed by Ibans, 15%, Chinese, 11% and Malays, 4%.

Although Riot did not speak to reporters at the nomination centre, his proposer, PBB vice-president Datuk Seri Michael Manyin, said there was little reason for the local bumiputra community not to support Barisan.

“Bidayuh villages practically all have roads, with electricity and water supply, except for maybe two or three,” Manyin said after nomination.

“Of course as a leader of the Bidayuh, we never say that we’ve already done enough. When compared with other towns like Kuching, Sibu and the rest of Malaysia, we are still lagging behind.

“That is all the more reason we have to stay united so that we can continue to have all to progress.”


© 1995-2013 Star Publications (Malaysia) Bhd (Co No 10894-D)

GE13: Dr Tiki will be treated as opposition, says upset Manyin

SERIAN: Datuk Dr Tiki Lafe is an opposition in Mas Gading, PBB vice-president Datuk Seri Michael Manyin said, adding that Dr Tiki would be treated like one.

“If he is Barisan-friendly, then support Barisan,” an upset Manyin said here yesterday, responding to questions on Dr Tiki’s move to stand as an Independent.

“How can he stand as (an) Independent and make such claims, saying he is (Barisan) friendly? If he wins, he is not Barisan.

“It’s as simple as that. He will be treated like an opposition. He is not using our symbol and he does not have any authorisation from Barisan leaders,” he said.

Manyin described Dr Tiki’s candidacy as “unfortunate”, adding that the move would split the Bidayuhs.

Dr Tiki, who has served Mas Gading for three terms, left Barisan component party SPDP following a leadership tussle. He was subsequently dropped as a Barisan candidate.

Manyin said the Bidayuhs had, “until this general election”, been enjoying a “golden age” of recognition from Barisan Nasional in the state and Federal governments.

“Why do I say this? It’s because we more or less have overshot our quota. At the Federal level, we have two deputy ministers and one chairman of the National Service Training Council (Dr Tiki). That means of the three MPs we have, all were given important portfolios.

“At the state level, we have one full minister and two assistant ministers, out of six assemblymen. How much more recognition can we get? On top of that, practically all of the Bidayuh villages have roads, electricity and water supply; except for maybe two or three (that have not).”

Dr Tiki, Manyin added, should not always blame others.

“We need to look at ourselves first,” he said.

Manyin said Mas Gading voters should vote according to “party symbol” rather than the candidate. He declined to comment further on the matter. The Star

Manyin was speaking to reporters at the Serian District Office, after the close of nominations. He was the proposer for the Serian Barisan’s candidate Datuk Richard Riot Jaem, who is a Bidayuh.

Riot is facing a three-cornered contest at the semi-rural constituency, about 50km from Kuching. The other candidates are DAP’s Edward Luak and STAR’s Johnny Aput.

GE13: SUPP sacks Andrew for contesting as DAP candidate in Serian By STEPHEN THEN

MIRI: Sarawak United Peoples Party (SUPP) has sacked long-time member Edward Andrew Luat from the party effective immediately, for contesting as a DAP candidate in the Serian parliamentary constituency.

Party president Datuk Seri Peter Chin announced the sacking Saturday, saying that the dismissal was immediate as Andrew had committed a very serious offence against the party constitution.

Andrew, who joined the Miri SUPP years ago when he worked in the oil industry there, is challenging SUPP candidate and incumbent MP Datuk Richard Riot for the seat.

For more election stories, please visit The Star's GE13 site

Riot optimis BN kekal pertahan Parlimen Serian

KUCHING: Calon tunggal Bumiputera Parti Rakyat Bersatu Sarawak (SUPP) bagi kerusi Parlimen Serian Datuk Richard Riot Jaem optimis Barisan Nasional (BN) kekal mempertahankan Serian pada Pilihan Raya Umum Ke-13 (PRU13) ini.
Riot yang juga Timbalan Menteri Luar,bagaimanapun berkata, pada masa yang sama beliau akan terus bekerja gigih untuk mendapatkan kemenangan kepada BN di Parlimen Serian.
“Saya optimis BN akan kekal menang di Serian, tetapi saya akan terus bekerja gigih.
“Kita telah menyaksikan bahawa BN melakukan pelbagai transformasi di bawah kepimpinan Perdana Menteri termasuk transformasi kepada rakyat Sarawak,” katanya ketika ditemui selepas menghadiri Mesyuarat Majlis Tertinggi BN Sarawak yang dipengerusikan Ketua Menteri merangkap Pengerusi BN Negeri Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud justeru mengumumkan 31 calon BN pada PRU13 di Ibu Pejabat PBB di sini, kelmarin.
Riot yang juga Timbalan Presiden SUPP berkata, beliau amat berterima kasih kepada pucuk kepimpinan BN di kedua-dua peringkat persekutuan dan negeri kerana memberi peluang kepadanya untuk terus bertanding semula pada PRU13 ini.

AGENDA PEMBANGUNAN: Uggah komited meneruskan agenda pembangunan kerajaan BN terutamanya pembangunan kawasan luar bandar.
Kemenangan pertama Riot di Serian pada 1990 atas tiket Bebas, bagaimanapun dipilih semula pada tahun 1995 atas tiket BN.
Sementara itu pada PRU 2008, beliau berjaya menewaskan Belayong Jaya (SNAP) dengan majoriti 15,793 undi (85 peratus) sementara Belayong hanya 2,366 undi (13 peratus).
Sementara itu, Menteri Sumber Asli dan Alam Sekitar Dato Sri Douglas Uggah Embas yang turut dicalonkan semula mempertahankan Parlimen Betong melahirkan penghargaan kepada Perdana Menteri dan Ketua Menteri kerana memberi peluang kepada beliau bertanding semula.
“Bagi saya ini adalah satu tanggungjawab yang saya akan pikul untuk meneruskan program pembangunan yang telah dijalankan oleh BN di Betong.
“Ini peluang kita berterima kasih kepada kerajaan BN kerana telah membawa banyak perubahan dalam masa lima tahun lalu dan perubahan-perubahan ini telah meningkatkan taraf kehidupan rakyat dan ia telah nyata,” kata Naib Presiden Kanan PBB itu.
Pada PRU 2008, Uggah bertanding menggunakan tiket BN di Parlimen Betong telah menang dengan mendapat undi sebanyak 13,708 dan berjaya menewaskan calon lawan, Edmund Stanley Jugol Benedict Sandin (SNAP) dengan mendapat 1,999 undi.
Uggah menjelaskan, beliau komited untuk meneruskan agenda pembangunan kerajaan BN terutama pembangunan kawasan luar bandar yang pasti akan meningkatkan taraf hidup dan pendapatan mereka.

YAKIN: Rohani yakin Batang Lupar akan kekal sebagai kubu kuat BN.
“Kita mahu pengundi-pengundi di kawasan saya terus memberi sokongan padu kepada BN.
“Dengan adanya kemenangan itu nanti ia akan menyumbang kepada jumlah kerusi persekutuan dan menentukan Perdana Menteri akan terus menjadi milik kita supaya program transformasi yang dijalankan akan diteruskan,” katanya.
Bagi Timbalan Menteri Dalam Negeri, Koperasi dan Kepenggunaan Datuk Rohani Abdul Karim yang turut dicalonkan semula mempertahan kerusi Batang Lupar menjelaskan, beliau yakin Batang Lupar akan kekal sebagai kubu kuat BN.
“Saya bersyukur atas kepercayaan yang telah diberikan kepada saya untuk kekal bertanding di Batang Lupar.
“Insya-Allah… Batang Lupar akan kekal sebagai kubu kuat BN,” katanya melalui sistem pesanan ringkas (SMS) di sini semalam.
Rohani, ahli politik wanita paling berpengalaman di negeri ini, memenangi kerusi Parlimen buat penggal kelima dengan mempertahankan kerusi Batang Lupar pada 2008.
Pada PRU12, Rohani berjaya mengalahkan calon PAS Abang Eddy Allyanni dengan mendapat 11,015 undi (77 peratus) apabila pihak lawan hanya mendapat 2,923 undi (20 peratus) di Parlimen Batang Lupar.


Read more: http://www.theborneopost.com/2013/04/18/riot-optimis-bn-kekal-pertahan-parlimen-serian/#ixzz2QogTqTwi

Profile of BN Candidate in Serian

Currently a Member of Parliament for Serian. He stood first as an independent candidate in 1990 and won 56% of the vote. In 1993 he joined SUPP and has ever since then, contested as a representative of that party.
Honorifics
Datuk
Email address
serian@parlimen@gov.my; dtkriot@mpb.gov.my
Phone
+60 3 8887 4000
Fax
+60 3 88891717
Office Address
Pejabat Timbalan Menteri Luar Negeri Kementerian Luar Negeri, Aras 3, Wisma Putra, Presint 2, Pusat Pentadbiran Kerajaan Persekutuan 62602, Putrajaya
Date of Birth
12/1/51
Place of Birth (Optional)
Kampung Pichin, Serian
Place of Residence
Current Spouse(s) (Optional)
Mincha Kayen Lengeng
Adult Children (Optional)
Political Party
Sarawak United Peoples' Party (SUPP), 1993-present
Education
Batu Lintang Teacher's College, Kuching, Sarawak (1971)
Diploma on personnel Management from Cambridge Tutorial College, Jersey, Britain
Bachelor of Business Administration from Chartered Institute of Business Administration (Ireland) Teoranta (1994)
Master of Business Administration, Preston University, United States of America
Work Experience
Chairman of Sarawak Rivers Board (October 2001-December 2006)
Chairman of Malaysian Pepper Board 2007-present
Board of Member of Sarawak Consolidation and Rehabilitation Authority (SALCRA) (2000-present)
Chairman of Sarawak Consolidation and rehabilitation Authority Audit Committee
Deputy President of Football Association of Sarawak (1997-1999)
Chariman of Scout Local Association, Serian (1995-Present)
Political History
Chairman of Sarawak United People's Party Serian Branch (1993-Present)
Central Committee Member, State level (December 1995-Present)
Legal Cases Filed (Optional)
Company Ownership (Optional)
Known Assets, estimated value (Optional)
Signed Election Pledge on Integrity
Sources and Additional Notes
Sources:

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Malaysia (http://www.kln.gov.my/web/guest/deputy02)
Laman Web Rasmi Parlimen (http://www.parlimen.gov.my/index.php?modload=ahlidewan&uweb=dr&action=details&id=177)
Picture

Constituency
Serian,P199
Portfolio(s)
Deputy Foreign Minister

External issues won't affect support for Richard Riot

SERIAN, 12 April (Bernama) -- External issues will not affect support for the Barisan Nasional (BN) in the Serian parliamentary constituency, said Deputy Foreign Minister Datuk Richard Riot, who is also the incumbent Member of Parliament for Serian.

He said many development programmes had been implemented by the BN-led government in Serian and the electorate could assess the situation now.

"I believe external issues or national issues brought by the opposition will not influence the voting trend in Serian.

"We are not over-confident but are optimistic that BN will still be the choice of the electorate in Serian," he said.

Riot cited the RM260 million clean water supply project implemented by the government for the benefit of more than 70 per cent of the electorate that was expected to be ready in time for the 'Hari Gawai' celebration.

The 61-year-old veteran Member of Parliament disclosed this to Bernama after attending the 'Leader With The People' programme at the Kampung Tebedu Mawang Community Hall, Tebedu, here today.

Riot, who has been the Serian MP for five terms, expressed confidence that the hard work put in by the BN in the constituency since 1990 would help the coalition to retain the seat in the 13th general election (GE13).

Commenting further, Riot, who is deputy president of the Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP), said the BN government was always committed in assisting to provide public amenities such as electricity, water and roads.

"The electricity supply project in the Tebedu state constituency had been completed and provides benefit to 18 villages while another electricity supply project that will benefit eight villages in the Kedup state constituency is being planned for completion by 2014 at the latest.

"The government has also approved the construction of a primary school with a hostel in Tong Nibong while another primary school that would cater for the needs of residents in 14 villages in the area is also being built," he said.

In the 2008 general election, Riot won in Serian, where the Bidayuh make up the majority, beating Sylvester Belayong Jayang from Sarawak National Party with a majority of 13,427 votes.

The BN also won the two state seats in the Serian Parliamentary constituency, namely Tebedu and Kedup in the Sarawak state election in 2011.

According to the electoral roll gazetted on Feb 22, the Serian Parliamentary constituency has 33,765 voters.

-- BERNAMA

Pan Borneo highway to be widened by Peter Sibon, reporters@theborneopost.com

KUCHING: The state government is confident that it will complete the proposed double carriageway Pan-Borneo highway from Sematan to Miri in the next five years.
This was stated by Second Minister of Resource Planning and Environment Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hassan at a news conference at his office here yesterday.
He added that the road has been constantly upgraded in stages, for instance the road from Kuching to Serian had been upgraded to a dual carriage way.
“We are very realistic about completing this project in the next five years. We are making this project our main priority now,”
Touching on the same issue, Minister of Infrastructure Development and Communication Dato Sri Michael Manyin Jawong said the remaining distance of 710km double carriageway road from Serian to Miri would cost RM9 billion.
“We can start whenever the money has been allocated to us,” he said.
He also disclosed that the government would build a third bridge across Sg Sarawak linking e-mart in Matang area to Jalan Stephen Yong to ease congestion in Kuching city.
They were commenting on the pledge in the BN manifesto to build a 2,300km Pan-Borneo Highway from Sematan, Sarawak to Serudung, Sabah.
Meanwhile, Awang Tengah disclosed that only a small percentage of projects which were implemented since 2008 were considered ‘sick’ and gave the assurance that these projects were tightly monitored by a committee made up of the members of state cabinet as well as the relevant government agencies.
“We are monitoring these projects. If the main contractors were the problems then perhaps we will pay the subcontractors directly instead to expedite the projects,” he warned.


Read more: http://www.theborneopost.com/2013/04/09/pan-borneo-highway-to-be-widened/#ixzz2PuqxoNfp

BN pledges to gazette all native customary land

KUALA LUMPUR, April 6 (Bernama) -- The Barisan Nasional (BN) will gazette all native customary land in close consultation with state governments should it be returned to power in the upcoming 13th general election.

According to BN's election manifesto launched by Prime Minister and BN chairman Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak tonight, the coalition is also committed to providing more income generating opportunities within indigenous communities and increasing the intake of indigenous youth into tertiary and vocational education.

In addition, the BN promises to set up special courts with the same status as the high court under the present justice system to deal specifically with native customary rights issues.

Themed 'A Promise of Hope', the manifesto further said that the BN government plans to provide financial assistance and educational opportunities for lower income earners irrespective of race.

Noting that the BN plans to streamline and improve safety net assistance through a unified database system, the document said the coalition intends to provide funds for registered non-governmental organisations and civil society movements.

The concerns of the visually impaired are also being addressed, with the BN committed to turning Brickfields here into a friendly zone for the visually impaired to serve as a model for future zones throughout the country catering to other sections of the disabled.

The manifesto said the BN government has always subscribed to a welfare system that caters to all sections of the community regardless of creed or colour.

It alluded to the government's introduction of KAR1SMA (1Malaysia People's Welfare Programme), whereby RM3.67 billion had been allocated from 2010-2013 to provide assistance to the elderly, children and disabled workers as well as those with chronic diseases.

The coalition had also allocated RM138 million to provide facilities and employment opportunities for the Orang Asli this year, and increased the monthly safety net assistance from RM80 to RM300, the manifesto added.

GE13: Riot a picture of calm By YU JI yuji@thestar.com.my

KUCHING: Despite the nearness of the general election, incumbent Serian MP Datuk Richard Riot Jaem’s office at the semi-rural constituency was a picture of calm yesterday.

In his office, which was lined with exactly 25 photos of himself officiating at events, constituents were milling about, filling forms and making enquiries.

“I think this is a very winnable area for Barisan Nasional,” said Awang Landon, private secretary to Riot, who has served as MP for the area for four terms since 1990.

“In terms of public support, we are (doing) good, which is not to say that we will be complacent,” he said, adding service centres like Riot’s were particularly effective in maintaining rural support for the Barisan.

The chances of Barisan renominating Riot for another term is as good as gold. During The Star’s interview with Awang, the private secretary never hinted of Riot being replaced.

“He’s coming back tonight (yesterday) to attend a dinner. We need to plan how we’ll be working with the other component parties for the campaign. The next day, there is a meet-and-greet event at the local community centre, then he’ll be flying back to Kuala Lumpur again.”

Riot first won Serian, about 50km from here, as an Independent, beating Barisan’s candidate William Aham by a majority of 2,685 votes. A month after his shock win, Riot was invited to join PBDS and was quickly elevated to the position of vice-president.

In the subsequent state election in September 1991, Riot, however, lost to PBB’s Michael Ben Panggi by 398 votes. In April 1995, Riot joined SUPP, which he has since remained loyal to, despite strong rumours of his dissatisfaction several years ago.

Riot’s political career is unlike most others’. In every subsequent election Riot had participated in, he had won with bigger majorities.

In the 9th general election, Riot won with a majority of 7,554 votes, in the next, he won with a majority of 8,451 votes, then with 9,695 votes. In the last election he won with a 13,427-vote majority.

In June 2010, Riot was appointed as Deputy Foreign Minister and at SUPP’s controversial triennial delegates conference last December, Riot became deputy president of the state’s oldest political vehicle.

In fact, Riot is considered by many, including among members of the opposition parties, the only sure win SUPP will register in the 13th general election.

Awang said Serian voters, about 70% Bidayuh, were likely to back Riot, who is also a Bidayuh, both for his work rate and his personal touches.

“I don’t think there are any major issues here. The infrastructure here is generally quite good and it’s still developing,” he said.

Awang, however, declined to speculate on native land rights allegations brought forth by the Opposition, but admitted that the controversy over native rights could become a campaign matter.

According to the latest gazetted electoral roll, Serian, which comprises the state seats of Tebedu and Kedup, has exactly 33,764 voters. The second largest bloc of voters are the Ibans, about 15%, Chinese, 11%, and Malay, 4%.

The population is spread out across about 270 villages of between 500 and 2,000 population each, and within the Serian township.

Awang singled out the Chinese as the only bloc of voters that might have divided loyalty.

He said the Chinese here were economically and politically less dependent on the Government compared to the other communities.