INCUMBENT:
Datuk Seri Richard Riot Jaem (BN-SUPP)
Last 05 May, 2013 Election Result:
1. Richard Riot Jaem (BN-SUPP): 19,494 votes
2. Edward Andrew Luwak (PR-DAP): 6,343 votes
3. Johnny Aput (STAR): 390 votes
Majority: 13,151 votes
Known as Durian Town, Serian has taken a forward step from relying on passing travellers for business to being a self-sustaining town, supported by farmers in the surrounding areas. Declared as Sarawak’s twelfth division in 2015, Serian is predominantly a Bidayuh division with a population of over 100,000.
In recent years, several commercial shoplots and residential housing developments have taken place, boosting the town’s population and business activities. Serian has always been a BN stronghold and this augurs well for its future expansion and progress, especially since it has been elevated to a division only a few years ago.
During a visit to Serian last year, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib had allocated a sum of RM2 million for the rebuilding of the St Jude Church in Bunan Gega.
Among the main projects in the area is the Pan Borneo Highway which, when fully completed, will offer many job and business opportunities for the people in this constituency. With many tourist spots like the famous Ranchan Waterfall, visitors will frequent the area more often with better road infrastructure. Besides, the town itself offers a variety of food and local handicraft products.
Tebedu, a border town at the Indonesian border, offers opportunity to engage in cross-border business activities between the two countries.
Meanwhile, Malaysia’s immigration post is in the process of being upgraded to an international gateway. When completed, it will greatly facilitate the flow of people and goods between the two regions as well as strengthening relationship between Sarawak and West Kalimantan.
There are opportunities for more bilateral trade between Sarawak and Kalimantan in view of the fast pace development both regions are going through. Serian is also famous for the Pesta Birumuh. Although the festival is largely celebrated by the Bidayuh, other ethnics such as Iban, Orang Ulu, Melanau, Melayu, Chinese and others are welcomed to join the annual event, which had seen visitors of more than 10,000 at a single episode.
Meanwhile the Serian New Township is being developed on a 145-acre site. It will include the Serian Division Administrative Complex and the Serian Convention Centre. Both buildings will sit on a 32-acre plot to be developed by Sarawak Incorporated Sdn Bhd.
The incumbent Serian Member of Parliament is Datuk Seri Richard Riot Jaem, who won the last general election in 2013 by a majority of 13,151 votes.
The following polling districts are in the Serian parliamentary constituency: Bentang, Lanchang, Tebedu, Amo, Mengarat, Sibauh, Mongkos, Kedup, Antayan, Sedihan, Triboh, Selabi, Pasar Serian, Kakai and Hulu Serian.
