New Deputy Foreign Minister Richard Riot Jaem today dismissed an allegation that his appointment was the result of pressure from the Bidayuh community.

"I was appointed because I'm capable and experienced. I have been an MP for 20 years," he told reporters at the Kuching International Airport here after returning from Kuala Lumpur.

More than 300 villagers from the Serian parliamentary constituency welcomed Riot at the airport.

Riot, a five-term member of parliament for Serian, took his oath of office and pledge of loyalty and secrecy yesterday before Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin at the Istana Negara in Kuala Lumpur.

He said Prime Minister Najib Razak had placed trust and confidence in him.

"The prime minister said 'I know you (Riot) are capable' to me after I took the oath of office in the Istana Negara in Kuala Lumpur yesterday," he said.  

Najib’s gift to Dayak community

Sarawak DAP secretary Chong Chieng Jen had claimed on Wednesday that the appointment of Riot, a member of the Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP) central working committee, was due to pressure from the Bidayuh who wanted one of their own to be given a federal cabinet post or the chairmanship of the Padawan Municipal Council.

Also, the former president of the Dayak Bidayuh National Association (DBNA), Peter Minos, had asked the SUPP to give special posts to Bidayuh representatives.

Riot pledged to work hard to fulfill the trust placed in him by the prime minister.

"My appointment will inspire me to work even harder for the people. I know that the tasks and responsibilities of a deputy foreign minister are heavy, but with guidance from the minister and the ministry's officials, I am confident I can perform and will not fail the prime minister. I will do my utmost best for the ministry, people and nation," he said.  

Riot described his appointment on June 1, when the Dayak were celebrating the first day of the Gawai festival, as a special present from the prime minister to the Dayak community.

- Bernama