Ex-UPP trio apply to join PBB

1

Datuk Dr Jerip Susil, Ranum Mina and Dr Johnical Rayong submitted their membership application forms yesterday

PBB6KUCHING: Three partlyless BN elected representatives—Datuk Dr Jerip Susil, Ranum Mina and Dr Johnical Rayong—yesterday applied to join PBB, the backbone of the state BN.

Their applications, if accepted, will result in a major shift in the political tectonic plates in the state because shortly after the May 7 state election, six other elected representatives have also applied to join PBB.

PBB executive secretary Awang Bujang Awang Antek told The Borneo Post that the trio went to PBB headquarters yesterday morning to fill the membership application forms.

“Yes, I have received their application forms. They said their main reason to apply (to join PBB) is to strengthen their political struggles so that they can serve the people more effectively.”

Awang Bujang said the result of their applications might be known when the party’s supreme council meets on June 5.

“As far as PBB is concerned, our door is always open to those who subscribe to the party’s struggles. Furthermore, we cannot close our door to those who need a genuine platform to serve the rakyat,” said Awang Bujang.

Dr Jerip, Ranum and Johnical were previously with United People’s Party (UPP), together with Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh. All four resigned from the party to stand as direct BN candidates in the May 7 polls, and they all retained their seats.

At press time, the three assemblymen could not be reached for comments.

The six other partyless BN elected representatives who had earlier applied to join PBB are Tan Sri William Mawan Ikom (Pakan), Dato Gerawat Gala (Mulu), Rosey Yunus (Bekenu), Paulus Palu Gumbang (Batu Danau), Miro Simuh (Serembu) and John Ilus (Bukit Semuja).

Mawan, Rosey and Paulus were formerly with Parti Tenaga Rakyat Sarawak (Teras) while Gerawat, Miro and Ilus were former PBB members. They all resigned from their respective parties to contest as direct BN candidates, and won.

If PBB accepts all nine applications, its number of assemblypersons in the 82-seat State Legislative Assembly will be 49, and its number of MPs will increase by one to 16 because Mawan is also Saratok MP.

This new political development may impact political understanding among the State BN component parties.

In the May 7 polls, PBB was allocated 40 seats and it won all, PRS was allocated 11 seats and won all, SUPP was given13 seats and won seven, SPDP was allocated five seats and won three, and all the 13 direct BN candidates won.