KUCHING: Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) secretary-general Datuk Sebastian Ting yesterday denied deputy president Datuk Seri Richard Riot Jaem would be jumping ship to Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB).
Ting, when contacted by New Sarawak Tribune, said despite a newspaper’s speculation, he said he had clarified the issue with Riot who vehemently denied such an allegation. Riot, the Serian MP, has been with SUPP since the mid-1990s and there have been several allegations of him jumping ship.
Even after the last 14th General Election, there were widespread allegations of Riot jumping ship to Pakatan Harapan. The rumours prompted Riot to clarify that he was not a ‘katak’ (frog) and never would be.
Ting said it was unfair to Riot that his good reputation was dragged down by such allegations. Being seen eating together didn’t mean anything as he himself (Ting) had at times bumped into friends or former colleagues from other parties including rival parties but out of respect and courtesy he greeted and even sat with them for a while.
“If being seen eating together is an indication that everyone is planning to jump ship, that is bad as we have to be gentlemen when meeting our friends or former colleagues no matter what side we are from,” he said.
