A close ally and confidante of state Land Development Minister Dr James Masing said today that the five 'partyless' elected representatives of the defunct Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak (PBDS) have become a 'nuisance' and should seriously consider resigning their seats instead of trying "to impose themselves on others."

Wilfred Nissom, a political secretary to the Chief Minister, told malaysiakini that after the deregistration of PBDS on Oct 21, the five should continue with what he described as "an exhibition of their bravado and fight on".

In this way, they would have the respect of their supporters and others, he said.

At the same time, Nissom added that they would be much less of a nuisance if they had chosen to resign their seats and instead challenge the Barisan Nasional in elections or quit altogether from politics.

The five are Deputy Foreign Minister Joseph Salang (Julau MP) (photo), Aaron Dagang (Kanowit MP), Jewah Gerang (Lubok Antu MP) Stanley Ajang (Belaga state assemblyperson) and Gabriel Adit (Ngemah state assemblyperson).

They have all applied to join Pesaka Bumiputra Bersatu (PBB), the backbone of the state ruling coalition that controls nearly half of the seats in the 62-member state legislative assembly, in addition to 11 of the 28 parliamentary seats in Sarawak.

Last week, PBB secretary-general Ambrose Blikau said there would be no rush to make a decision on the expressed wish of the five elected representatives as both state and parliamentary elections are still a long way to go.

Ridiculed for decision

Although he denied any knowledge of any application having been made, malaysiakini learnt the application, signed jointly by the five, had been sent to PBB, addressed to party president Abdul Taib Mahmud.

But after the five publicly declared their intention recently to join PBB, they have been ridiculed especially by their erstwhile opponents in the now-defunct PBDS who say it is difficult to reconcile their decision to join PBB with their previous stance vis--vis the PBB leadership.

Referring to Salang, Nissom also asked whether there has been a precedent whereby a partyless MP has been retained in his ministerial post, and whether or not the only honourable thing to do is to resign.

"I am well aware it is the prerogative of the prime minister who to appoint," he said. "But I am curious to find out whether a partyless MP should keep his ministerial post," he added.

Nissom, who has joined PRS that is expected to make Dr Masing as its leader at the party's inaugural congress in January next year, described the response to PRS' membership drive as 'very good.'

TONY THIEN is malaysiakini's Sarawak-based stringer.