TERAS is not dead, but alive and kicking, asserts its acting president

By Simon Peter

KUCHING, May 31, 2017 -  Barisan Nasional-friendly party, Parti Tenaga Rakyat Sarawak (TERAS) is not dead, but alive and kicking, asserted its acting president Datuk Peter Nansian today.

Datuk Peter Nansian (centre) with TERAS information chief Sim Han Seng (left) and executive secretary Banyi Beriak at a press conference he called to clarify that party is alive and kicking.

"Talks that the party has been dissolved in May last year is not true," he told reporters at a press conference.

He said the press had erroneously reported his statement when he announcement that the party might dissolve itself after many of its top leaders had to quit the party as a condition for them to contest on the Barisan Nasional's ticket in the last state election.

Since then, the party has not been dissolved, Nansian, a former assistant minister, said.

"The only thing you have not seen us is because we are the silent supporters of the Barisan Nasional and not every one wants to join the existing state Barisan Nasional component parties so we are accommodating them in our party," he said.

He said TERAS will continue with its role as BN-friendly party, giving support to the state government under the new chief minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari because of his policies.

"We are as hopeful as every body's else that he can deliver and we believe, as every body else, in him, particularly on his initiative on digital economy to Sarawak," he said.

Nansian said creating the new ministry of education, science and technological research is the right move by the chief minister, especially on enhancing the teaching of English in schools.

"All those initiatives announced by the chief minister within his 100 days in office are the correct moves to leapfrog Sarawak into digital economy," he said.

Nansian, a former Tasik Biru state assemblyman, said TERAS will be holding its triennial general meeting in September to elect new office bearers.

Asked whether former party president Tan Sri William Mawan is still with the party, he said the question should be directed at Mawan himself.

"Only he can answer that question," Nansian said.