Riot wants to defend party post

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Dato Sri Richard Riot

KUCHING: Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) deputy president Dato Sri Richard Riot wants to defend his post during the triennial delegates conference (TDC) from Tuesday to Thursday.

However, he is unaware whether he would face a challenge or not.

“For now, I don’t know if there is any contest or not for my post. But as the president (Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian) had pointed out, and I’m sure you have read it in the papers, all the top five posts are open to contest,” he told reporters after attending the Social Security Organisation’s Christmas celebration here yesterday.

Riot, who is Minister of Human Resources, said SUPP would only know whether there will be any contest for the five top posts when nominations close tomorrow (Dec 18).

“For now no incumbent, including me, knows whether he or she will be challenged or not,” he said.

On the next parliamentary election, Riot is optimistic of his chances to defend his Serian seat.

“I will still be the candidate. A lot of people are saying there are rumblings on the ground.

“No, there were never any rumblings on the ground because Serian has always been and forever been intact. That is the word I use because I’m always on the ground. Unless I have an official function in Kuala Lumpur or overseas, almost every weekend I’ve spent my time with the people in Serian,” he said.

Riot also insisted there is no reason not to choose him to defend the seat because he has served his constituents.

“You can find out from the ground. You can ask anybody in town, there is no reason for me to be replaced.

“What transpired before this, I have nothing to do with it, so I don’t want to comment on it,” said the six-term Serian member of parliament.