S'WAK POLLS Sarawak Chief Minister Adenan Satem today claimed that the opposition is reluctant to see the sub-ethnic group Bidayuh grow stronger.

Adenan drew his conclusion from the stance of the opposition in disagreeing with the Sarawak redelineation exercise, which resulted in an increase in two Bidayuh-majority seats.

He said this during a visit to Kampung Sorak Sumpang, a Bidayuh village in Serian, about 70km away from Kuching.

"During my two-year tenure (as chief minister), I have done something beneficial to the Bidayuh. There was no Serian division before me, there is now. This is just for the Bidayuh (community)," he said to loud applause.

"If Kota Samarahan is for Malays, Sibu and Sarikei for Chinese, Miri for Orang Ulu, Mukah for Melanau, then Serian is for Bidayuh. And, this was our first effort."

"Our second effort was to increase the Bidayuh constituencies from six seats to eight. (The new seats are) Bukit Semuja and Serembu.

"You deserve more seats because I want more Bidayuh support and a louder Bidayuh voice in the state legislative assembly. I want your voice to grow bigger and bigger," he added.

The opposition had challeged this (move to increase Bidayuh seats) in court, which the government lost initially but won the case after an appeal, according to him.

"The opposition doesn't want Bukit Semuja and Serembu, why ? This is because it doesn't want a stronger Bidayuh voice.

"When we asked for RM1 million or RM1 billion for the rural voters, the opposition does not want it, DAP doesn't want it," he said.

“DAP only knows about the urban seats, it does not prioritise the rural seats. That's why it doesn't want (Bidayuh to grow stronger)," he said.

He added that DAP has fielded its candidates in four Bidayuh seats – Tasik Biru, Mambong, Bukit Semuja and Serembu.

Adenan said other measures taken (to help the Bidayuh) included upgrading Serian into a district and ensuring they are not classified as "lain-lain" (others) in government forms.

Also present were BN direct candidate for Bukit Semunja, John Ilus, and Human Resources Minister Richard Riot.

Bukit Semunja will see a five-cornered fight, pitting Ilus against DAP candidate Edward Luwak, Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak Baru (PBDSB) candidate Cobbold Lusoi, State Reform Party (Star) candidate Johnny Apot and independent candidate Frederick Bayoi Manggie.

Bayoi, 73, has been a two-term Tarat state assemblyperson since 1987 and later shifted to the Kedup seat for three terms from 1996 to 2011. The PBB member for 33 years quit the party in January 2016.

"I have recommended him to be Kota Samarahan district officer, implying that he should retire. He is old," said Adenan, 72.

"He's challenging us, I am disappointed. He should give way to young Bidayuh blood," he added.

He, however, said the Bukit Semunja's multi-cornered fight will benefit the BN candidate.