Adenan supports new party’s bid to join Barisan in Sarawak

Adenan (right) is ready to admit Parti Tenaga Rakyat Sarawak as a component party in Sarawak Barisan Nasional. - May 16, 2014.Chief Minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem today supported the Parti Tenaga Rakyat Sarawak's  (Teras) intention to join the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition and promised to help in the application process.

Adenan, who is also Sarawak BN chairman, said he welcomed Teras's willingness to work closely with the state BN.

"I will inform the prime minister on this development," he told a media conference after meeting with Members of Parliament and state assemblymen from the Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP), Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP) and Sarawak Workers Party (SWP), who quit their respective parties to join Teras in his office at Wisma Bapa Malaysia in Kuching today.

However, he said, at present there was no necessity for a cabinet reshuffle. The group was led by SPDP former president Tan Sri William  Mawan Ikom who quit SPDP yesterday to join Teras.

Also in the group were former SUPP Sibu branch chairman Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh, who is also Bawang Assan state assemblyman and three other SUPP state assemblymen, Datuk Dr  Jerip Susil (Bengoh), Ranum Mina (Opar) and Johnicol Rayong (Engkilili).  

Baram Member of Parliament Anyie Ngau and four SPDP state assemblymen – Datuk Sylvester Entri Muran (Marudi), Datuk Peter Nansian Ngusie (Tasik  Biru), Rosey Yunus (Bekenu) and Paulus Palu Gumbang (Batu Danau) also joined Teras.

Pelagus state assemblyman George Lagong from SWP also quit the opposition party to join Teras.

Mawan said the courtesy call was to reaffirm their support and loyalty to Adenan's leadership as Sarawak chief minister and Sarawak BN chairman.

During the meeting, they also sought Adenan's advice on the party's direction.

"We will officially submit our application to join BN soon," said Mawan, who is also state Social Development Minister as well as Saratok Member of Parliament and Pakan state assemblyman. – Bernama