The applications of the 11 elected representatives who resigned from Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP), Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) and Sarawak Workers Party (SWP) to join Parti Tenaga Rakyat Sarawak (Teras) on May 15 are facing some “technical problems” and as such they have to remain partyless for some time, said Teras secretary-general Banyi Briak.

“There are procedures that need to be followed. There is no such thing as direct members, and they need to apply through their respective divisions which they must register first and get approval from the Teras central executive committee.

“So they cannot be direct members of the party and  cannot take over the leadership of the party just like that because we are still the duly elected committee members, as well as there are procedures that need to be followed,” he said, clearing confusion over the line-up of Teras.

“Our president is Dominie Siron. We were elected during our annual general meeting on Oct 26, 2013,” he added.

Tasik Biru assemblyperson Peter Nansian, who was one of the 11 elected reps joining Teras, had promised to give to the press the line-up of Teras last week. But until now he has failed to issue the line-up, prompting some people to think that there was a ‘power struggle’ in Teras.

Besides Nansian, the others who joined Teras from SPDP were former SPDP president  and Social Development Minister William Mawan Ikom, Baram MP Anyie Ngau, Sylvester Entri (Marudi assemblyperson), Paulus Gumbang (Batu Danau assemblyperson) and Rosey Yunus (Bekenu assemblyperson).

Resigning from SUPP to join Teras were former SUPP Sibu branch chairperson and Local Government Minister Wong Soon Koh ( left ), Bengoh SUPP chairperson and Assistant Minister of Public Health Jerip Susil, former Opar SUPP leader Ranum Mina and former Engkilili SUPP leader Johnichal Rayong.

Also joining Teras was Pelagus assemblyperson George Lagong, who resigned from the Sarawak Workers Party.

They have sought the help of the Chief Minister and state Barisan Nasional chairperson Adenan Satem for Teras to be admitted either as a full BN member or as BN-plus.

Banyi said: “Teras will be holding its extraordinary general meeting after Gawai Dayak to decide on, among others, the next triennial general meeting (TGM).

“Those who wish to be president, deputy president and other office-bearers can contest during the TGM. But they must first be members on their own decisions.

“For example, if Tan Sri Mawan wants to contest as president, he must first be a member of Pakan division. Members of the division must also be voters in that division,” Banyi said, pointing out that his party is different from other parties.

“We want to make sure that the party will not face the problems that the deregistered Sarawak National Party and Party Bansa Dayak Sarawak had encountered,” he added.

Nansian tipped to next Teras president

Speculation is rife that Nansian is tipped to be the next ( right ) Teras president, while Mawan and Wong would be the advisers.

Meanwhile, the SPDP MP for Mas Gading, Anthony Nogeh, urged the MP for Baram, Anyie Ngau, to make clear his stand whether he is still with SPDP or has left to join Teras.

“You cannot have one leg in SPDP and other in Teras.

“He should call a press conference to make his stand,” he said.

Anyie was one of the 11 elected reps who announced their resignation from their respective parties. He was one of those who made a courtesy call on the chief minister, and yet he told some Chinese papers that he was still a member of SPDP.

He was invited to attend last Friday’s SPDP supreme council meeting in Bintulu, but he apologised that he could not attend as he was in Baram preparing for the visit of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak to his constituency.

SPDP acting president Tiong King Sing had also urged Anyie to make his stand, reminding him that the party might take legal action against him.

Anyie, a former district officer, had to sign a statutory declaration before he could contest on the BN-SPDP ticket for the Baram constituency.