The two rival factions within Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak (PBDS) have agreed to hold the triennial delegates conference (TDC) within four months, and not later than August, to elect new office-bearers. However, the date is pending supreme council approval.

This was one of the decisions reached at a meeting yesterday, attended by Barisan Nasional secretary-general Khalil Yaakob, three representatives each from the rival factions, Registrar of Societies (ROS) Dahri Ibrahim, Deputy Chief Minister and Dayak leader Alfred Jabu, Sarawak BN secretary-general Ambrose Blikau and Home Ministry officials.

However, a gag order was imposed on those present. Official versions of the discussions only gave the impression that progress had been made, masking the fact that there was dissenting opinion over the legal status of the supreme council elected in July 2003.

Reliable sources close to the Tajem faction told malaysiakini today that, at the meeting, Khalil had insisted that the supreme council, headed by president Daniel Tajem, has lapsed and is no longer a functional body.

They said Khalil was adamant about this because he wanted to justify his proposal for fresh party polls to be conducted under the supervision of the ROS and BN.

However, the Tajem faction representatives were equally insistent that a Home Ministry letter dated March 9, 2004 had been sent to PBDS secretary-general Stanley Ajang, and that it meant official recognition of the members of the supreme council.

The sources said Jabu probably saved the day when he pointed out that all official correspondence sent to the party had referred to Stanley as the secretary-general. Khalil then backed down.

Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, also BN chairperson, had reinstated the party on appeal in March, after it was deregistered last December, but on condition that fresh elections be held for office bearers. The party had been in the midst of a protracted leadership dispute.

The letter, signed by the ministry's deputy secretary-general, also said the supreme council elected prior to July 2003 had status quo, with Tajem as acting president.

'No compromise'

While the sources said the Tajem faction had responded positively to the date for the TDC, its three representatives also pointed out this was subject to approval by the supreme council when it meets on April 24.

However, the representatives said they had no problem with the supreme council setting up a 'neutral' credentials committee to vet the eligibility of branches to send delegates and vote at the TDC.

A PBDS leader aligned to the Tajem group, who asked not to be identified said: "We are treating the matter (of holding the TDC) with the utmost urgency but without compromising the need to follow the rules and procedures as stipulated in the party constitution and Societies Act."

It is further learnt that the Masing (photo) faction had wanted TDC delegates' list of 2000 to be used as the attendance list for the, but that the ROS did not agree to this.

The Tajem faction said the latest list - to be drawn up and approved three months prior to the holding of the TDC - should be used.

It is understood that the ROS has not objected to this.