KUCHING, May 20 ― Viewed as a possible threat by some within Barisan Nasional’s (BN) Sarawak chapter, the newly-formed Parti Tenaga Rakyat Sarawak (Teras) has given its assurance that it will not scramble for seats when state polls are called in 2016.

Former Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP) president Tan Sri William Mawan Ikom, who currently leads the BN-friendly party, told Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) president Tan Sri James Jemut Masing not to fear the possibility of Teras threatening his party’s position as a BN component in Sarawak.

Mawan, who is also Saratok MP and Pakan assemblyman, said Teras has no intention rob seats traditionally allocated to PRS as it would be up to the BN leadership to decide on seat allocation when polls are held.

“I personally feel that my friend Masing and PRS members should not be feeling overly worried as we Teras are fully supporting PRS at seats contested by them come next state election,” he said when met yesterday.

Mawan was responding to Masing’s remarks last Thursday that the newly-formed Teras would unlikely make it as a BN member as this would require unanimous consensus from all other component parties.

“We already have four parties under Barisan Nasional; namely Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), PRS, SPDP and SUPP. That is enough,” Masing said, adding that a new party would only lead to fighting and disunity among the Dayak community.

Masing’s PRS colleague, Wanita chief Datuk Doris Sophia Berodie, has also expressed suspicion over Teras’ formation, saying yesterday she doubted its purpose was to solve the many internal disputes within SPDP and the Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP).

Ten of Teras’ members consist of elected representatives who quit their respective BN component parties due to internal disputes, which briefly rocked Sarawak's political landscape last week.

With a total 11 lawmakers, Teras now has the second-highest number of lawmakers in the state after Sarawak BN's anchor, Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), which has 35 assemblymen in the 71-seat legislative assembly.

Elected reps from SPDP who crossed over to Teras last week include Mawan, Baram MP Anyie Ngau, Marudi assemblyman Datuk Sylvester Entri Muran, Tasik Biru assemblyman Datuk Peter Nansian Ngusie, Bekenu assemblywoman Rosey Yunus and Batu Danau assemblyman Paulus Palu Gumbang.

Those from SUPP are the party’s former Sibu Branch chairman Datuk Sri Wong Soon Koh, Bengoh assemblyman Dr Jerip Susil, Opar assemblyman Ranum Mina and Engkilili assemblyman Dr Johnical Rayong Ngipa.

The 10 said they left in protest over the squabbles plaguing their respective parties but insisted they were still loyal to the BN. They have also voiced their desire to formally enter the ruling coalition.

Pelagus assemblyman from local opposition party, the Sarawak Workers Party (SWP), George Lagong, has also also crossed over to Teras.