A senior Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak (PBDS) leader has hailed Sarawak National Party (Snap) deputy president Justine Jinggut's peace formula to resolve the protracted leadership struggle in the party.

"I think he (Justine) is speaking from experience after witnessing how internal squabbles had caused Snap to be torn apart, not once but twice," said the Tajem faction leader, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Justine (right) suggested yesterday that Daniel Tajem should assume the PBDS presidency with Dr James Masing as deputy. He also proposed that Joseph Salang should be made the party's treasurer.

"I think that is a workable solution," the leader said, stressing that all it takes now is the sincerity of all concerned to prevent the de-registration of the party the second time.

"I will never say that such a proposal is illogical, all that we need now is to be honest and sincere," he stressed.

Asked whether other senior leaders involved in the race for key posts in the crisis-ridden party would accept the arrangement, he replied in the affirmative.

Chart party's future

On the acceptance of Masing as president by all party members once Tajem retires, he said that "we can always return to the drawing board to chart a greater future for the party."

The party crisis began in 2000 when Masing, then vice president, challenged Tajem for the deputy presidency.

Ironically, Tajem's strongest ally in that triennial assembly, Sng Chee Hua, is now the running mate of Masing.

To add insult to injury, PBDS top leadership under then president Leo Moggie had denied any problem within the party, while his successor Tajem chose to blame everything on "some naughty newspaper boys."

Moggie resigned abruptly last year to hand over the reins of the party to Tajem.

The party is now gearing up for its assembly in October as directed by the Barisan Nasional leadership.