The prime movers of the proposed Malaysian Dayak Congress (MDC) said today that they expect to receive 'good news' on their application from the Registrar of Societies (ROS) next week.

MDC pro tem president Nicholas Bawin said the application was submitted about four months ago and he was informed it would normally take that time frame for the ROS to process and make a decision.

He added that he had already met ROS Kasuari Keman in Putrajaya and later followed up with a telephone call to enquire on the status of the application.

Kasuari who flew to Kuching on Thursday for an overnight visit believed to be connected with matters concerning Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud's Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu Sarawak and possibly MDC's application, told reporters yesterday a decision on the MDC would only be made after consulting Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in his capacity as the Internal Security Minister.

The PBB issues are believed to be connected with allegations from party members about irregularities in the party's recent polls. The complaints are believed to be the main reason for the party to defer its elections from September this year to after the state elections next year.

In the meantime, MDC pro tem information chief Joseph Tawie, when contacted, told malaysiakini he was surprised that so much attention was being paid to MDC by state Barisan Nasional leaders even before the party was registered.

Many professionals

According to sources, the party has been getting 'very encouraging response' on the ground, especially in Iban areas.

"To say that the Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP) and Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) are not worried is not true," Tawie added.

The party is said to be eyeing all the 25 seats, particularly those seats that are held by SPDP and PRS.

"We've so many professionals who have offered to stand on MDC ticket," Tawie said.

Inspite of speculation in some quarters that state elections may be held in December this year, most political observers say Taib is not likely to call one earlier than Juneor July next year.

Voters will elect 71 state assemblypersons in the next elections, an increase of 9 from the previous composition in the state legislative assembly following approved changes to the state constituency plan.