Supporters of the faction led by rebel leader James Masing in Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak (PBDS) have applied to register a new political party, according to reliable party sources.

They said the application to the Registrar of Societies (ROS) was submitted today and that several names have been proposed, including 'Sarawak People Party'.

"The move could indicate that there is just no way for the two factions to work together," said a party source.

"The application could also act as an option for the faction in case something untoward happens to the party."

The Dayak-based party has been embroiled in a leadership dispute over the past few months, dividing the party into two. One faction led by former information chief and state minister Masing, who has with him a group of nine elected state representatives.

The other faction supports Daniel Tajem (photo) - who succeeded former president Leo Moggie as president - and it comprises five elected representatives including deputy president Joseph Salang Gandum and secretary-general Stanley Ajang.

Open conflict

The crisis spilled into an open conflict when the two factions held their own version of the triennial delegates conference (TDC) and elected separate sets of leaders.

But the ROS has ruled the TDC called by the Masing group in Bintulu on July 25 as being tak sah or invalid.

At the same time, the Tajem group has been told to explain the presence of delegates from 29 out of 153 branches who attended their TDC in Santubong, near Kuching, on July 26-27.

If the ROS is not satisfied with the reply, the party could run into serious trouble, including the possibility of de-registration.

Contacted today, a spokesperson for the Tajem group said it would give "a comprehensive reply" to the ROS before the deadline on Nov 6.

"We view this seriously. We are going through our records thoroughly. We want to make sure the authorities are satisfied with our reply," he said.

Observers say the decision by the Masing group does not come as a surprise because this would appear as the only course of action in the absence of a compromise.

However, it raises questions as to whether the new entity will be accepted into the Barisan Nasional if the ROS clears the Tajem group and leaves the reins in its hands.

Different scenario

The scenario will be different one from Sarawak National Party (Snap) which went through a major leadership upheaval last year that resulted in nearly all its elected representatives forming a new political party immediately after the party was de-registered.

Most observers at the time considered the de-registration order "rather harsh" and leaders from the rump of the party have since taken the matter to court.

They have obtained a reprieve after the court granted a stay of execution pending hearing of the application for a judicial review.

In the PBDS case, however, things have not reached this stage and will not if the ROS is satisfied with the reply from Tajem's faction. Even if the decision is not favourable, Tajem could still go to court.

According to the source, the Masing group has received legal advice and is not likely to appeal against the ROS' decision.

"Under the circumstances, there are only two options open to them - form a new party or kowtow to the recognised leaders," he added.

So far, Masing has publicly only said that "forming a new political party is an option if the party is de-registered".

Meanwhile, local newspapers quoted a leader of Sarawak United People's Party (Supp) as saying it was too premature to talk about the possible "parking" of rival PBDS elected representatives in other BN component parties.

"Parking" is a temporary measure for ousted elected representatives to remain in BN while their future is being sorted out.

However, Supp secretary-general Sim Kheng Hui also said: "But if it has to come to that, the party is prepared to accommodate PBDS elected representatives".