The Sarawak's ruling Barisan Nasional coalition today agreed to temporary take in the 10 elected representatives of the de-registered Sarawak National Party (Snap) as members of its three remaining component parties Parti Pesaka Bumiputra Bersatu (PBB), Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP) and Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak (PBDS) "until a more permanent solution is found".

This followed the de-registration of Snap one of Sarawak's oldest political parties by the Registrar of Societies (ROS) yesterday following its failure to resolve its leadership crisis.

The 10 elected representatives comprise six state assemblypersons (including one state minister, William Mawan (photo, left), and two assistant state ministers, Dr Judson Sakai Tagal and Peter Nyarok) and four members of parliament (including deputy federal minister Dr Tiki Lafe).

Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud announced the temporary solution after the state BN supreme council's emergency meeting in Wisma Pelita, Kuching this morning.

He said nine elected representatives supporting the faction led by Mawan had applied to be BN members and had agreed to be parked among the three component parties for the time being.

The only state assemblyperson from the de-registered Snap who had not applied to do so is Richard Wong (Limbang), senior vice-president of the party and eldest son of party president James Wong Kim Min (photo, left).

According to Abdul Taib, Wong junior the only elected representative to be aligned with the Wong faction has also been invited to remain in the BN coalition.

Best solution

Also present at the meeting were Deputy Chief Minister and PBB deputy president Alfred Jabu Numpang, Tourism Minister and PBB deputy president (II) Abang Johari Tun Openg and Assistant Minister and PBB's newly-appointed secretary-general Ambrose Blikau.

Representing SUPP were Deputy Chief Minister and party president George Chan Hong Nam, Assistant Minister and secretary-general Sim Kheng Hui and Assistant Minister and treasurer David Teng Lung Chi.

PBDS was represented by its deputy president, Daniel Tajem (in the absence of its president Leo Moggie), vice-president Peter Runin, secretary-general and Belaga state assemblyperson Stanley Ajang and Minister of Social Development and Urbanisation and party information chief Dr James Masing.

Abdul Taib told reporters the state BN had to act quickly because Snap's de-registration had implications for the ruling coalition since all the elected representatives were elected on a BN ticket in the last elections.

He said that the best solution for now was to let them be accommodated among the three component parties.

"We will work on the details later," he said in response as to how long they would be "parked temporarily" in other BN parties. It is also not clear which parties the ex-Snap leaders are expected to join.

According to political observers, the state BN supreme council's decision is to promptly secure the positions of the 10 elected representatives of the now de-registered Snap in both the BN coalition and the state cabinet.

Application filed for new party

Meanwhile, the Mawan faction has applied to the Registrar of Societies to establish a new party.

The application was submitted to the ROS yesterday after the announcement on the de-registration of Snap Sarawak's second-oldest party formed in 1961 by a group of Dayak leaders to prepare for the state's independence through Malaysia.

According to reliable sources, the group is proposing to name the new party Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP).

Asked whether the state BN would admit the new party if and when it has been registered, Abdul Taib said the matter would be dealt with when the time comes.

Meanwhile, Wong and his supporters met last night at party headquarters in Rubber Road to discuss the latest developments.

According to deputy secretary-general Stanley Juggol of the de-registered Snap, who is a Wong stalwart, they agreed to appeal to the home minister against the decision of the ROS Ismail Dolah Harun.

"Wong is asking for an appointment to see both the Prime Minister and BN chief Dr Mahathir Mohamad and his deputy, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who is also the home minister, tomorrow in Kuala Lumpur," he said.

According to Stanley, if the home minister's eventual decision is not in favour of his faction, Wong is likely to go to the court.

Members up in arms

Local newspapers sold like hot cakes today with front-page news of Snap's de-registration and speculations on how the state BN leadership would deal with the stranded elected representatives.

News of the party's de-registration had also angered many ordinary members.

Eleven divisional chairman and their committee members from in and around Kuching met at Snap headquarters this morning to protest the ROS' decision.

Speaking on behalf of the group, Hussain Zainuddin, head of Tupong division, said Snap members were "very unhappy and dissatisfied" with the ROS' action, which was described as "arbitrary".

"Snap, which was formed 41 years ago, is not just a political party but also an institution. To de-register such an organisation with more than 120,000 registered members throughout Sarawak is high-handed to say the least," he said.

He added: "To all of us who are loyal members of Snap, this is a sad day for justice and for Malaysia. We abhor the decision by the ROS as it has created a very bad precedent for other political parties to imitate and this must be condemned."

The divisional head pledged his support for Wong as party president in appealing against the de-registration to the home minister and in rejecting the ROS' 'unjust decision'.

Hussain said: "Snap has been a worthy and loyal member of BN and despite its de-registration, we will continue to support the leadership of Dr Mahathir as chairman of BN and the prime minister and also his deputy, Abdullah Badawi."

He added that his group would send a protest note to the ROS. He expected other divisions in other towns in Sarawak to do likewise to express their displeasure at the ROS' decision. Add links and pics