Supp lobbies for Richard's federal appointment
Malaysiakini.com
Mar 22, 2008

Sarawak United People’s Party (Supp) has called on Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to consider Serian MP Richard Riot Jaem, who was rumoured to have defected from the Barisan Nasional, for a federal government position. MCPX

According to Bernama, Supp president Dr George Chan said that the five-term MP should be considered to fill one of the several federal cabinet vacancies.

"We hope he will be given a post. It is the prime minister’s prerogative, but we have already indicated our hopes and wishes," said Chan.

richard riot 200308Previously, there had been speculations that Richard had shown interest in defecting after being snubbed over a federal cabinet positionl.

Richard has yet to deny the rumours personally, but Supp has claimed that the rumours were untrue.

Chan revealed today that he had spoken to the elusive Richard over the telephone yesterday, where the latter revealed that he was in Kuala Lumpur and is expected to meet Abdullah soon.

"I know Richard. He has been there for a long time and I am confident that he cannot be bought over by the opposition," added Chan, who is also Sarawak Deputy Chief Minister.

No discrimination

After Pak Lah announced his cabinet line-up on Tuesday, two Barisan MPs, Anifah Aman (Kimanis) and Tengku Azlan Abu Bakar (Jerantut), rejected their appointments as deputy transport minister and deputy foreign minister respectively.

Supp is hoping that Richard could be chosen to fill one of the vacancies.

Richard is one of two ethnic Bidayuh MPs rumoured to have quit the BN over claims that their ethnic group had been overlooked for federal positions. The other is Dr Tiki Lafe who holds the Mas Gading seat.

wong soon kohIn a separate development, Supp deputy secretary-general Wong Soon Koh hit out at claims that the party did not appreciate their bumiputera members.

Wong said that even though Supp was primarily Chinese-based, the party "treasures the comradeship of its bumiputera members".

"We do not discriminate against them. Whenever possible, they will be represented in the party and the government, as well," said the state minister of urban development and tourism.

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