Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP) is sending a strong message to Chief Minister Adenan Satem that it will make sure that Parti Tenaga Rakyat (Teras) cannot join BN either as a full member or as a BN-plus.

"I am sure Teras will put in their application and BN will have to discuss it.

"I will attend the BN council meeting when it sits to discuss the application and make sure it will never become part of the BN family, not even through the BN plus route," said SUPP president Peter Chin.

Chin (right) was speaking to party members who celebrated SUPP's 55th anniversary at its headquarters yesterday.

The strong message is putting Adenan in a dilemma as he was reported to be considering Teras' application after 10 state assemblypersons and one member of Parliament who quit their respective parties on May 15 met with him to discuss their application to join BN.

The 10 assemblypersons are former SPDP President William Mawan Ikom, former SPDP vice-president Peter Nansian (Tasik Biru assemblyperson), former SPDP secretary-general Sylvester Entri (Marudi), former supreme council members Paulus Gumbang (Batu Danau), Rosy Yunus (Bekenu), former SUPP Sibu branch chairperson Wong Soon Koh, former SUPP Bengoh branch chairperson Jerip Susil, former SUPP Engkilili branch chairperson Johnichal Rayong and former Opar branch chairperson Ranum Mina.

Also joining the group are SPDP's MP for Baram Anyie Ngau and the former deputy president of Sarawak Workers Party and Pelagus assemblyperson George Lagong.

Teras was registered in September last year by disgruntled members of SPDP.

Chin also said he would object if Teras joined BN through the 'BN plus' formula which was used in 1983 to settle the application made by the then Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak after Sarawak National Party expelled a number of Dayak leaders.

"There is no reason for a BN Plus as the present situation is different from that in 1983.

“That time, there was a racial tone after the election involving PBDS, but now the situation involves only a few people who are unhappy with their original parties," he said.

Counting on SPDP and PRS' support

The SUPP president is also counting on the support of SPDP and Parti Rakyat Sarawak and other BN members to object to Teras' application.

SPDP acting president Tiong King Sing warned of an “open war” if Teras is to be admitted, while PRS leaders had expressed strong opinions against Teras.

The leaders of the three parties would never compromise on the seat allocations that were given to SUPP, SPDP and PRS.

"SUPP will never surrender any of its seats to Teras. It will defend its rights to these seats at all cost, unless the party does not want those seats," Chin said.

He said Teras could claim whatever it wanted, but those seats (Opar, Bengoh, Engkilili and Bawang Assan) belonged to SUPP according to the BN principle.

SUPP was given 19 seats in the last state election.

"What will happen to BN, if BN creates a precedence by accepting Teras?"  Chin asked.

Commenting on the Teras' application, a political observer said: "If Adenan were to accept Teras into BN, he would be creating chaos in BN and in such a situation, it will affect his position as chief minister.”

"The possibility of SUPP, SPDP and PRS fighting along with Pakatan Rakyat against Teras and the state BN is always there," he added.