KUCHING: Infighting in two Barisan Nasional component parties of SPDP and SUPP has boiled over with the majority of their elected representatives quitting and uniting under a new party - Parti Tenaga Rakyat Sarawak (Teras).
Resigning from SPDP is its president Tan Sri William Mawan Ikom and the senior most leader from SUPP is Sibu Chief Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh.
Both Mawan and Wong are state ministers.
The new party claims to have 11 assemblyman and MPs, thus making it the second largest party among Sarawak Barisan component after Parti Persaka Bumiputera Bersatu.
Mawan told shocked reporters he was not a "captain" who jumped a ship, but a leader who faced a mutiny in his own party.
Wong said he was "forced out" of SUPP.
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