Joseph Tawie
Is newly approved Parti Tenaga Rakyat Sarawak (Teras) the work of “certain leaders” in Chief Minister Taib Mahmud-led Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) who want to see the end of Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP) and its president William Mawan?
The latest rumour is that Teras was set up to accomodate the five dissenting and now partyless leaders – better known as G5 – who were expelled from SPDP by Mawan in 2011 for insubordination.
The rumours underscores an earlier comment by Mawan acknowledging that SPDP had ‘enemies within the BN (Barisan Nasional)’ who are undermining and bullying the party.
Although Mawan did not name names, it was obvious he was referring to some PBB leaders.
Thus, all eyes are now on members of G5 and on whether or not they will join Teras.
Said a former SPDP supreme council member: “I can tell you that some leaders in Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) want the G5 elected reps to join Teras in order to finish off SPDP.”
Declining to be named, he went on to add that these PBB leaders want SPDP to be replaced by Teras “especially if it can be successful” in the state polls which should be held by 2016.
Following the sacking of the G5, SPDP now has only one state seat. It however still has four parliamentary seats.
The ex-SPDP council member further said that Teras was likely to challenge SPDP’s eight seats namely Tasik Biru, Krian, Pakan, Meluan, Batu Danau, Bekenu, Marudi and Ba’Kelalan.
“The PBB leaders want Teras to replace SPDP especially if it can be successful in the eight seats it is going to contest in the coming state election.
“It will not be difficult… SPDP now only has one state seat,” He said adding that it was only logical that the G5 members join Teras “because SPDP will oppose their entry into any of the other existing BN component parties”.
Teras formed by ex-SPDP members
He also claimed that at least two of of SPDP’s current four parliamentarians are “weighing the odds”.
The G5 comprises elected representatives Peter Nansian (Tasik Biru), Sylvester Entri (Marudi), Paulus Palu Gumbang (Batu Danau), Rosey Yunus (Bekenu) and ex-Mas Gading assemblyman Tiki Lafe.
Nansian when asked about Teras refused to comment.
“No comment on the new party as we still prefer to join any of the existing BN component parties in Sarawak other than SPDP,” he told FMT.
Teras, incidentally is formed by ex-collegues from SPDP.
The application to register the party was submitted last year.
Teras along with Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak Baru (PBDS Baru), Parti Ekonomi Rakyat Sarawak Bersatu (PERSB), Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK) and Peace Party received their certificates of registration from ROS yesterday.
The protem secretary of Teras is Banyi Briak, who was the former SPDP executive-secretary. He was removed just before the state election in April 2011 allegedly because of his involvement with the struggle of the G5.
Hundreds of members from these constituencies had also resigned from the party following the expulsion of their leaders.
There were also mass resignations from the party branches in Mas Gading, Saratok, Julau and Marudi just before the parliamentary election.
More SPDP member face axe
In Saratok, SPDP branches in Krian and Kalaka were said to have closed down following the resignations of more than 300 members who did not agree with Mawan’s candidacy for the Saratok parliamentary constituency.
Among those who protested were Jelaing Mersat, former Deputy Minister of Transport and Chambai Landong, SPDP supreme council member.
More members are expected to be axed from the party when SPDP meets next month for its triennial general assembly.
“All those who have left the party are welcome to join Teras. We will welcome them with open arms,” said Briak.
He refused, however, to comemnt on whether the G5 members had contacted him. He also declined to comment on the rumour.
“The party is open to all members who have resigned or expelled from SPDP, and the invitation includes members of the G5,” he said.
Briak said that Teras would meet soon to discuss the party’s future plans and directions and to elect new office-bearers.
“We are given 90 days to do that,” he said
Hornbill Unleashed 
Will the 2nd class Bumiputra Dayaks ever learn !!!
Comment by johan — September 6, 2013 @ 11:29 PM |
I will bet on my last ringgit that all the newly approved parties shall declared themselves to be BN friendly.The political landscape has changed drastically in East Malaysia whereby the voters have been voting either Pakatan Rakyat or Barisan National. BN friendly parties which are not the official components of BN had been rejected outright by voters in Sabah and Sarawak in previous elections. It will make no difference if the newly approved parties were to contest in the coming Sarawak state election. Pakatan shall benefit from the maddening crowds.It will be wise for Pakatan in Sarawak not to work with any newly approved parties until the state election is over. SWP had made its stand way ahead of the next state election and pledge to work with DAP to mount a strong challenge against UMNO Baru controlled BN led by the paramount thief minister Taib Mahmud in rural seats will be look upon as a sincere move. STAR will die a natural death and so will PBDS Baru, PERSB, Parti Bumi Kenyalang, and Peace Party. As for Teras it will be “touch and go” if they insist in contesting in SPDP previous seats. PRS and SPDP will have to decide if they stay with BN or join Pakatan to attack PBB held seats to preserve their own .
Comment by Mata Kuching — September 4, 2013 @ 9:43 PM |
Therefore the theory that RENTAP (Rosey, Entri,Nansien, Tiki and Paulus) was bought by Awang Tengah is true.
Comment by robinhood — September 4, 2013 @ 6:41 PM |
It is not only proved to be true but it has always been probably the only TRUTH! These 5 Kerbau are just Kerbau, willing to be traded and pulled by the nose to wherever and whichever tree their master find it fit to tie them to! And they are foolish enough to think that they are still what the rakyat need to tackle the problems which were already in existence when they were the top kerbau but didn’t do the job. And they surely managed to bring chaos to their own party until it is left with only the skeleton it is today! They have tarnished their own reputations and just how will they earn back the trust of the rakyat?
Comment by brian — September 5, 2013 @ 12:20 PM |
Obviously this is the BN way to divide and rule. ROS is acting in cahoot with the BN and that’s a fact. Look at Pakatan which is still unregistered after nearly five years in waiting. And yet these fly-by-night parties formed overnight and most likely with generous financial contribution from the Taib regime or its cronies. Again we are going to see the Dayaks suffer the brunt of this political chess move by Taib by splitting them into smaller and insignificant minor parties that have no political power except being spoilers for the opposition and non-PBB parties within the BN. No wonder Taib said that he will not be stepping down soon. With this move, he probably will be able to retain his CM post even after he kicked the bucket.
Comment by apai — September 4, 2013 @ 10:22 AM |
Close shop and join DAP or form a new opposition party
Comment by tigeryk — September 4, 2013 @ 6:08 AM |