Leaders of the two rival factions in Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak (PBDS) have started moving again into familiar territory - that of trying to out-manouevre the other in campaign strategy.

A senior leader aligned to the Tajem camp yesterday cried foul over a decision by the rival faction, led by Dr James Masing, to hold a gathering in Sri Aman on Sept 4, one day ahead of their planned assembly in the town.

"We have been planning to hold the gathering on Sept 5 for months, not just two or three days ago. Suddenly they are announcing in the media today that they will be holding a gathering one day earlier than us.

We hope that the purpose of their gathering is to unify PBDS and not to overshadow our planned function," retorted a senior leader aligned to Tajem.

Yesterday, Sri Aman MP Jimmy Donald who is aligned to Masing announced that a meeting will be held on Sept 4 in Sri Aman.

Jimmy said the function would provide an opportunity for members and delegates of the TDC 2004 to be briefed and updated on the recent developments effecting PBDS, as well as the future plans of party leaders.

Unifying rhetoric

He believed that the TDC would provide a sound platform to "consolidate and unite members who have been patiently waiting for political problems within the party to be resolved."

Observers believed that should the TDC go ahead as planned, the contest will prove to be fiercer than was witnessed in 2000, when Tajem and Masing did battle for the number two post.

Though a lot has been said in the prelude to the opening tussle, former president Leo Moggie has repeatedly told the media that there was no conflict in party ranks, despite stepping down in an abrupt manner, before handing the presidency over to Tajem.

Unlike in 2000, Tajem will be teaming up with Deputy Foreign Minister Joseph Salang, while his former ally, businessman Sng Chee Hua will be Masing's running mate.