Sarawak BN anchor party PBB (Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu) may expand its already far-reaching reach in state politics, as another three elected representatives apply to join the party, the Borneo Post reported.

The three are former UPP (United People's Party) members (top photo, from  left) Jerip Susil, Ranum Mina and Johnical Rayong, who stood in the polls on May 7 as direct BN candidates, the daily reported.

This comes after six other elected representatives applied to join PBB shortly after the polls.

If PBB accepts the applications, it will control 49 out of 82 seats in the state legislative assembly.

Confirming the new applications, PBB executive secretary Awang Bujang Awang Antek said PBB would decide at its supreme council meeting on June 5.

“They (the ex-UPP members) said the main reason to apply (to join PBB) is to strengthen their political struggle so they can serve the people more effectively,” Awang Bujang reportedly said.

“As far as PBB is concerned, our door is always open to those who subscribe to the party’s struggle. Furthermore, we cannot close our door to those who need a genuine platform to serve the rakyat,” he added.

The other six who applied earlier are former Teras members William Mawan Ikom (Pakan), Rosey Yunus (Bekenu) and Paulus Palu Gumbang (Batu Danau), and former PBB members Gerawat Gala (Mulu), Miro Simuh (Serembu) and John Ilus (Bukit Semuja).

They resigned from their parties to contest as direct BN candidates. All the candidates won.

If PBB accepts all nine applications, its number of assemblypersons in the 82-seat state assembly will be 49, and its number of MPs will increase by one to 16 because Mawan is also Saratok MP.

This new political development may impact political understanding among the state BN component parties.

In the May 7 polls, PBB was allocated 40 seats and it won all, PRS (Parti Rakyat Sarawak) was allocated 11 seats and won all, SUPP (Sarawak United People's Party) was given 13 seats and won seven, SPDP (Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party) was allocated five seats and won three, and 11 out of the 13 direct BN candidates won.