More than 600 longhouse residents in the state seat of Krian in Saratok, most of whom were former members of the Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party, have now applied to join Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), the dominant partner in the state Barisan Nasional.

Among them are a number of professionals, including two college lecturers.

Encouraging them to join PBB was the former MP for Saratok, Jelaing Mersat, who resigned from SPDP just before the May 5 parliamentary election.

NONEJelaing, a three-term MP and former deputy minister of transport, was very angry after he was unceremoniously replaced as candidate for the seat in the eleventh hour by SPDP president William Mawan Ikom.

Mawan (above), who is the Pakan assemblyperson, named himself as the BN-SPDP candidate for the Saratok parliamentary seat.

Mawan's candidacy was taken as an insult to the local leaders and it triggered mass resignations from SPDP.

Last week, PBB leaders led by its secretary-general Dr Stephen Rundi visited Kabo in Krian, where they were greeted by more than 600 people.

"We are encouraged by the good response, and we are eyeing the Krian seat in the coming state election," said a senior PBB leader, who did not wish to be named.

"The people want PBB to contest the seat, which SPDP lost to Ali Biju of Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) in the 2011 state election.

"Moreover, Mawan did poorly in the Krian constituency in the last parliamentary election. Without the support of the Malays from the Kalaka state seat, Mawan would have lost the Saratok parliamentary seat," the leader said.

PBB claims to have about 2,500 members in Krian at present.

"We have been directed to get at least another 2,500 members in our current membership drive to ensure that we have a better chance of recapturing the seat for BN," he said.

‘Other BN parties have little respect for SPDP'

But PBB's move is certain to make SPDP unhappy, as it has been contesting the seat since it replaced the Sarawak National Party in 2002.

However, the question being asked is whether SPDP would dare to kick up a fuss, since it has lost a substantial number of members and supporters in Krian.

"SPDP has little voice left now, after it lost two state seats in the 2011 Sarawak election (Krian and Ba'Kelalan).

"It expelled four state assemblypersons for their disagreement with the party's leadership, while another elected representative resigned from the party.

"Now SPDP has only one state seat, Pakan, and no political clout left. As such, the other component members of BN have little respect for the party," the PBB leader said.

"It may have four members of Parliament, but you must know that two of MPs are actually closely associated with PBB.

"In other words, SPDP is slowly becoming a ‘mosquito' party," the leader added.

Leaders of the SPDP, which will hold its triennial general meeting in Bintulu this weekend, were not available for comment.