Less than 24 hours of the return of embattled Sarawak National Party (Snap) president James Wong Kim Min from overseas, the group opposed to his leadership comprising nine elected representatives today signed a unity pledge "to stand by each other".

They signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) containing the solidarity pledge and also re-affirming their support for the leadership of federal Barisan Nasional chairman Dr Mahathir Mohamad and state BN chief Abdul Taib Mahmud.

This is seen largely as a pre-emptive move in anticipation of some or all of them being either suspended or expelled from the party.

The party's elected representatives who inked the MoU were party deputy president and Saratok member of parliament Peter Tinggom, vice-president William Mawan, Mas Gading member of parliament and federal Deputy Minister of National Unity and Community Development Dr Tiki Lafe, Youth leader, vice-president and Assistant Minister of Infrastructure Development and Communications Dr Judson Sakai Tagal, vice-president and Assistant Minister of Tourism Peter Nyarok, Tasik Biru assemblyperson and chairman of Sarawak and Housing Development Commission Peter Nansian, Baram member of parliament Jacob Sagan, Marudi assemblyperson Sylvester Entrie, and Bintulu member of parliament Tiong King Sing, a former party treasurer-general.

Speaking at a media conference after the signing of the MoU at the Ministry of Environment and Public Health, Snap vice-president Mawam, acknowledged that the pledge was in anticipation of any eventuality following the president's decision to bring the date of the party's central executive committee meeting forward from June 15 to tomorrow.

There has been media speculation that the meeting could result in the sacking of Mawam and the party's deputy president Tinggom.

Meeting unconstitutional

But even if the sacking was to take place at tomorrow's meeting to be chaired by Wong, it would have little consequence because members of the rebel group said they would not recognise the CEC as legal and constitutional.

The Tinggom-Mawan group has contended that because the appointment of members in CEC by the president has not followed the party's constitution, it follows that any decision that it has taken, including the April 20 sacking of Tiong King Sing is null and void and unconstitutional.

Tiong, who was present at the signing of the MoU, declined to speak to reporters.

There has been newspaper reports that the president's group has sought legal opinion about filing an injunction to stop the national council meeting — the party's highest decision-making body — that the Tinggom-Mawan group has called for Sunday, a decision made at last week's CEC meeting organised by dissident members.

To a question, Mawan said if such an injunction is granted by the court, his group will have little choice but to abide by it.

"We will abide by it as we are all law-abiding," he said.

Asked if he was not being too presumptuous since the party had not even gone to court to apply for any injunction, he replied: "We must anticipate their every move."

The Snap vice-president said since 52 out of the 62 divisions of the party had indicated they would attend the meeting, the group would nevertheless go ahead and hold a meeting informally among themselves should the court allow the application for an injunction.

Rebel group claims majority support

On his return from medical treatment in Australia early this morning, Wong told reporters that he would continue as president if that was what the members want. However, he also indicated that he might possibly consider a compromise with his detractors.

Commenting on this, Mawan said with a majority of the party divisions had agreed to attend the national council meeting on Sunday, this should be clear enough to Wong on where he stands, and he should therefore act accordingly.

Mawam added that it should not matter whether it is the president or the deputy president calling for the national council meeting.

"What is important is the door to the national council is open, and everyone who has anything to say should say here as it is the best forum to speak out."

Wong's supporters have questioned the legitimacy of the national council meeting since it was called by a CEC meeting organised by the rebel group without the approval of the party president.

Mawan declined to disclose details on what will be discussed at the national council meeting.

He however added that his group is prepared if any of the council's decisions is challenged in court.

No compromise

From the tone of the group leaders' statements at the media conference, the possibility of a compromise now appears to be increasingly remote.

Instead, according to political analysts, the Tinggom-Mawan group is bracing for a long and probably bruising fight that could result in both parties arguing their cases in court.

There could even be two triennial delegates conferences early next year with the party ending up with two presidents — like the recent Joseph Kurup-Dr Jeffrey Kitingan tussle in Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS).

At present Wong's side looks to be greatly disadvantaged in terms of numerical strength.

For example, all but one of the elected representatives are aligned to the Tinggom-Mawan side. In addition, the group also claims to have the support of at least 52 of the 62 divisions throughout Sarawak.

Mawan made a surprising revelation today when he said at the media conference that "some of the branches and divisions don't even exist".

According to him, minus the non-existent divisions and taking into consideration the 52 divisions he claimed to be on his side, "the president now commands very little support even from the grassroots".

Appointment of 'defector' withdrawn

Meanwhile, Snap women's chief Winnie Jolly disclosed that her appointment as a member of the CEC had been withdrawn by the party's secretary-general Justine Jinggut on the directive of the president.

Winnie, wife of Baram MP Jacob Sagan, who is aligned to the Tinggom-Mawan group, switched support after the controversial April 20 CEC meeting which saw the sacking of Tiong.

At that meeting, she was said to be in favour of Tiong's sacking, but changed her stand during the Miri gathering attended by representatives of 52 of the party's divisions.

In a statement, Winnie called on Snap members to attend the national council meeting on Sunday "to record their feelings about the party leadership".

"This will be a chance for all to show their displeasure at how the party is being used by certain leaders," she added.