Sarawak United People's Party (Supp) has issued a strong warning to Chief Minister Adenan Satem not to entertain the idea of accepting Parti Tenaga Rakyat Sarawak (Teras) into BN.

"From my assessment and from newspaper reports that eight BN parties will object to Teras joining BN, I am confident that Teras will not be admitted," said SUPP president Peter Chin ( right ) last night.

Chin did not name the eight BN component parties, but SUPP, SPDP and Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) have already expressed their opposition.

"Judging by the (BN) constitution, I don't think Teras can come in as you must have unanimity… If you don't have unanimity and consent from every BN party, you cannot get in.

"We will also lobby the other (13) BN component parties to oppose Teras' entry," he said after chairing an emergency meeting of the party's central working committee (CWC).

The meeting also briefed 18 branch leaders from the southern region about the latest political situation involving SUPP Sibu chairperson Wong Soon Koh ( left ), Bengoh assemblyperson Jerip Susil, Opar assemblyperson Ranum Mina and Engkilili assemblyperson Johnichal Rayong, who have quit the party and joined Teras.

Last Thursday, the four announced that they had quit SUPP and joined the newly formed Teras.  Social Development Minister William Mawan Ikom and MP for Baram Anyie Ngau also announced that they too had quit SPDP.

Also joining Teras were Pelagus assemblyperson and deputy president of Sarawak Workers Party George Lagong and the expelled G4 elected reps namely Peter Nansian (Tasik Biru), Sylvester Entri (Marudi), Paulus Gumbang (Batu Danau) and Rosy Yunus (Bekenu).

'No need for BN plus formula'

Asked whether Adenan had agreed to look into the possibility of Teras joining BN, Chin said that he met Adenan in Miri on Saturday night.

"Adenan acknowledged that this group had paid a courtesy call on him. He has never told you (reporters) that he had accepted them in BN.

"He said these people are good and supportive of BN and that was what he told me. You people (reporters) misinterpreted him. He never said he allowed Teras to 'masuk' (join) BN," he added.

Admitting that there were people talking about a 'BN plus' formula to solve the problems between Teras, SPDP and SUPP, Chin said that the formula was first initiated in 1983.

The formula was to solve the problem of seat allocation between Sarawak National Party (Snap) and Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak (PBDS).

The problem arose after Snap kicked out nine state assemblypersons and four MPs from the party, who later formed PBDS.

Both parties claimed the right to contest the seats allocated to Snap, and to solve the crisis, the then chief minister Abdul Taib Mahmud allowed a 'free for all' fight in the disputed seats.

Disagreeing that the formula should apply to SUPP and Teras, Chin said: "The situation is different now. There is no need to form BN plus."

Chin said his party is willing to meet the prime minister and to brief him on the latest political situation in the state.

Teras' extended agenda

Meanwhile, Parti Rakyat Sarawak women chief Doris Brodie described the formation of Teras as having a different agenda instead of solving the internal crises of SUPP and SPDP.

"It seems now that its formation is not about resolving the internal crises of SUPP and SPDP. It obviously has an extended agenda.

"This extended agenda is not going to consolidate BN's position to face the state election contrary to the claim by certain quarters.

"Having George Lagong (Pelagus Assemblyperson) roped into Teras, it has no relation to solving SUPP and SPDP's crises and cannot be seen as BN friendly," she said.

SPDP deputy president Tiong King Sing ( left ) said all the seats held by the former SPDP elected representatives belong to the party, according to the agreement among BN parties.

"We will never compromise on this agreement. Every seat belongs to SPDP no matter where the incumbents go," he was reported as saying.

On the defection of the MP for Baram, Tiong reminded Anyie Ngau that he had signed a statutory commitment to SPDP.

"I advise him to think carefully about moving to Teras. The party is giving him three days to think over his decision before taking action," he said.

Admitting that some state BN leaders disliked him, Tiong said that was because he preferred to say what he thought even if it hurt some people, pointing out that he was not an "apple polisher".