KUCHING: Parti Tenaga Rakyat Sarawak (Teras) president Tan Sri William Mawan Ikom said the party is a true blue Barisan Nasional (BN) component because it was born inside the BN fold.
For Teras to be accepted by other BN components is just a matter of time, technicality and formality, said the Social Development Minister and Pakan assemblyman.
Mawan, who is Saratok MP said: “If we are not BN then how come party leaders are allowed by top BN leadership to talk about BN, use BN facilities and distribute MRP fund and announce BN development projects like other BN elected representative?
“Teras is a BN party as it was born inside the BN. It is just a matter of time, formality and technicality before other components in BN accept us,” he added.
Moreover many Teras loyal members were appointed community leaders, councillors and GLC-linked board members recently, he argued.
On top of these, national BN chairman Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and state BN chairman Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem had declared publicly that Teras was a BN component through the BN Plus formula in June, he said.
Mawan also reminded people that their state incumbents had been announced publicly by state BN chairman that they would be re-nominated to defend their respective seats in the next state election.
Mawan said these when welcoming pro tem exco members of Teras Lubok Antu at a dinner here on Thursday.
United People’s Party (UPP) Youth chief and vice-president Dr Johnical Rayong Ngipa who is also Engkilili assemblyman,Teras Lubok Antu division pro tem chief Jimbat Bang, his deputy Cr Ijau Buja, secretary Sirai Malong, treasurer Jerry Indit, assistant secretary Liang Barau and assistant treasurer Ugap Mantai as well as exco members Minggang Ajit, Abong Gelau, Badi Ijau, Nicholas Jagan, Kilau Danau, Joseph Injak and Empin Betau were among those present.
Jimbat said Teras was definitely not an opposition party. He called on voters in Lubok Antu to have faith in Teras rather than fear the leadership.
Teras leaders had the people’s welfare at heart and that was why the government trusted them more than certain people, he said.