Nansian (right) hands over a memento to Mawan at the event.
BAU: Parti Tenaga Rakyat Sarawak (Teras) deputy president Datuk Peter Nansian has hinted he would be defending Tasik Biru seat in the 11th state election, insisting the constituency now belongs to the party.
Nansian, who won the seat in the 10th state polls in 2011 under the SPDP ticket, told a gathering on Saturday that Teras
was part of the Barisan Nasional-Plus government and thus deserved to be allocated the seat.
“As you all are aware, the state government now runs on a BN-Plus formula. This clearly shows Teras is still in the state cabinet and is a part of the Barisan Nasional.
“Therefore, there is nothing to be worried about, especially regarding seat allocation, because there will be only one candidate from BN in Tasik Biru in the coming state election.
“Whoever the BN candidate is, I believe the BN leadership knows who is qualified, and the candidate picked will most definitely be someone who has the best chance of winning.”
The gathering held at Redeems Centre was attended by Teras’ four other assemblypersons: party president Tan Sri William Mawan Ikom, senior vice-president Rosey Yunus, secretary general Datuk Sylvester Entri Muran and treasurer Paulus Palu Gumbang.
SPDP recently announced that it would not give up any of the eight seats traditionally allocated to the party.
SPDP Tasik Biru division, during its Aug 3 triennial general meeting, passed a resolution that the party must be given the right to contest in Tasik Biru.
The party is also said to have identified ‘two to three potential individuals’ as its candidate.
Nansian, in his speech, also tried to explain to the audience his side of the story about Teras and about being expelled from SPDP.
Mawan, who also spoke, hoped Teras and SPDP leaders would call for a truce in the interest of BN.
He said the important thing for BN now was to be fully prepared for the next state election.
“Personal matters have to be set aside now because what is important is getting prepared for the election.”
Mawan also gave his story on why he left SPDP.
“I am the leader in Teras, and I know the direction of this party. All of you do not have to be worried about being ‘lost’ with Teras.
“Teras is not a threat, but a solution to problems. It will further strengthen BN,” he said, adding that Teras now had six seats (including one parliamentary seat), which makes the party ‘bigger’ than SPDP, which only has three parliamentary seats.