Troubled Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak (PBDS) faction leader Dr James Masing has sent out feelers for a compromise list of leaders which he called the 'dream team' ahead of the party elections in October.

Almost immediately however, a senior leader from the opposing camp laughed it off, saying that it was a little too late.

Although there is still no contact between Masing, who is also state social development and urbanisation minister, and party president Daniel Tajem, it is reliably learnt that lower echelon leaders of the two camps met privately last week to broach the issue.

A Tajem faction leader confirmed they were approached by Masing's emissaries who had proposed a compromise list with Masing as president and Joseph Salang, the Julau MP and Deputy Foreign Minister, as deputy president.

Over the past week, Masing had been quoted in local newspapers as suggesting the 'dream team' for the new PBDS. Salang was later quoted as saying that he was not aware of any such team in the making.

The Barisan Nasional technical committee, which is trying to resolve the problems within the Dayak-based party on the directive of Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, fixed Oct 9-10 for the party's triennial delegates conference (TDC) to elect new office-bearers.

Let grassroots decide

According to well-informed sources, there is lukewarm response to Masing's proposal "as matters have come so far now that it's probably best to let the grassroots decide on the leadership issue once and for all."

Masing himself had said in the past that the best solution to the crisis in the party was for the grassroots to choose their leaders. With his proposal for a compromise, according to observers, he has apparently given up the idea, but no reason was given.

Meanwhile, malaysiakini learnt that the PBDS supreme council meeting, scheduled this weekend, may discuss the Masing's compromise issue, but it is unlikely to be greeted with any great enthusiasm.

Saturday's meeting is expected to discuss the recent decisions at the BN technical committee meeting chaired by BN secretary-general Khalil Yaacob, including the appointment of a Kuala Lumpur-based lawyer to head as the all-powerful credentials committee (CC) to organise the party elections from branch to TDC levels.

It is learnt that there will be a major announcement soon regarding some important changes at the BN technical committee level, and this could even be before the SC meeting on Saturday.