SERIAN: Over 4,000 people from 164 villages here gathered at Kampung Pichin to welcome home Deputy Federal Minister Datuk Richard Riot Jaem at an appreciation ceremony on Saturday.
TRADITIONAL WELCOME: Riot (right) in full ministrial attire being welcomed by traditional cultural dances upon his arrival at Kampung Pichin for the appreciation ceremony.
Although the Deputy Foreign Minister was expected at 5pm, many villagers had waited for his arrival as early as 4pm.
They looked forward to exchanging greetings with Riot, who reached Kampung Pichin at about 5.15pm.
Before shaking hands with the villagers, the Serian MP was greeted with traditional dances at the main entrance to the village, where the more than 4,000 villagers formed a bee-line all the way to the community hall opposite Riot’s residence.
Lion dance and ‘silat’ demonstrations were also performed along the 10-minute walk as Riot exchanged greetings with the villagers. When Riot finally stepped into the community hall, the appreciation ceremony – to mark his appointment as Deputy Foreign Minister – officially commenced with a prayer.
Later in his speech, Riot extended his gratitude to all the villagers in his constituency and called on them to continue supporting him come the next general election.
“Without your support, this appreciation ceremony means nothing and I will not be who I am. My appointment is a great challenge.
“It is not an easy task because I need to deal with ministers, commissioners and ambassadors of various countries abroad,” he said.
He disclosed that his first overseas assignment would be in Nigeria from July 4 to 10.
“In future, I might not be able to meet you all as often as I wish. But I want to assure you that I will not neglect my constituency, my people in Serian,” said Riot, who is also the only Bidayuh MP in Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP).
Acknowledging that he was among the elected representatives who garnered the highest vote-majority in the 2008 parliamentary election, Riot said: “I hope voters will continue supporting me to maintain such good record.”
When the official part of the ceremony was done, villagers were treated to a simple dinner and entertainment.