A prospective candidate for the top post of Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak (PBDS) Dr James Jemut Masing has already declared himself "winner without a contest" after nearly 80 percent of party branches declared their support for him as president.

This is in spite of the fact that the party has not even set the date for the forthcoming triennial delegates conference, expected to be held the soonest by September or at the latest, next February.


Masing (photo), who is also the state minister of social development and urbanisation, based his claim o­n what he called the pledge of support from 163 branches or 78 percent of the 206 branches to him and his running-mate for deputy president Sng Chee Hua, o­ne of the party's five vice-presidents.

Speaking at a dinner in Kapit in central Sarawak o­n Tuesday, Masing called for reconciliation
between his supporters and those aligned to the rival faction that supports deputy president Daniel Tajem for the president's post, and treasurer-general and Julau member of Parliament Joseph Salang Gandum for the deputy president's post.

Addition, not elimination

"Look around us, there are some who may be different or slightly different from us tonight in moments of frustration but remember - they are our members," he was quoted today as saying by the Borneo Post, a local English daily.

"Therefore, we must work together. We must accommodate them. Addition and not elimination. The end result is we may feel strong, big and invincible."

Masing said in any race "the winner takes all". However, he reportedly advised his supporters to be "magnanimous and above all, forgiving to those who have differences with them".

"We will shape their minds and capture their hearts to be with us," he said, adding, "We don't change people by force but through sincerity, honesty and willingness to be magnanimous in victory."

He said he was looking forward to the conference "to see the birth of the new president and deputy president."

Meanwhile, local newspapers today gave wide coverage o­n Masing's intention to snub the luncheon meeting with party president Leo Moggie and several other top PBDS leaders in Kuala Lumpur today.

"You can call my office tomorrow (March 27). I will still be in Kuching," he told the Borneo Post.

Malaysiakini understands that a letter of invitation had been sent to Masing by Moggie's political secretary for the Kuala Lumpur meeting.

Yesterday, however, Masing said he had not received any invitation. PBDS sources said Masing replied the letter late yesterday afternoon saying he would not be coming, giving various reasons for it.

Reports deadline extended

Meanwhile, secretary-general Stanley Ajang disclosed that the deadline for party branches to submit branch meeting reports had been extended from March 31 to end of May.

The party's supreme council will meet in the third week of April to fix the date of the delegates conference.

Stanley, who is also the state assembly person for Belaga, said the decision to extend the deadline was "just an administrative procedure" and was due to some branches' request for an extension.

"This is due to some other commitments such as the harvesting season that is just closing in," he explained.