Supp has failed to reach a decision yesterday on the application from Engkilili state assemblyperson Dr Johnical Rayong who was elected in the May 2006 state election on an opposition ticket to join the party.

Party president Dr George Chan told reporters after a party meeting that Johnical's application was discussed by party leaders but it had not been accepted.

He added that the party would leave it to the BN to decide whether the party should accept the application or not.

Johnical had told the media he was invited by Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud to join the BN through Supp after the last sitting of the state legislative assembly two months ago.

Cautious Chan

"At the moment, his application has not been accepted," Chan said.

Sources said although Chan had committed to accept Johnical's application, he was not, however, prepared for another confrontation within his party on the matter.

Three central working committee (CWC) members, including party treasurer and state Assistant Minister David Teng and former Engkilili state rep Toh Heng San, were said to have objected to the application.

Some had insisted on at least two conditions before such an application would be accepted - that re-nomination of the incumbent would not be automatic in the next state election and that he would have the lowest priority in terms of appointment to any government position.

Johnical told Malaysiakini today that he would wait for the BN leadership to decide on his position.

The application may be brought for discussion again at the next CWC meeting on August 8.

Johnical won on the opposition Snap ticket beating BN-Supp's candidate former teacher Jonathan Krai in the predominantly-Iban constituency.

Meanwhile, the CWC remained undecided on the choice of candidates for two of the seven parliamentary constituencies allocated to the party.

Law still popular

One of the two undecided seats is Sarikei where the incumbent is party deputy president Law Hieng Ding, a former federal minister and Chan's bitter rival in the party. Law is said to have changed his mind about not defending the seat, at the urging of party members in Sarikei after they have apparently failed to agree on a single candidate.

Law is said to be still popular on the ground and probably the party's best chance to fight off a strong challenge from the opposition DAP.

The other undecided seat is Bandar Kuching, presently held by DAP's Chong Chieng Jen. Supp has tabled several names, including its youth chief and lawyer Allan Sim.

The incumbents for the remaining five seats - Yong Khoon Seng (Stampin), Richard Riot (Serian), Tiong Thai King (Lanang), Robert Lau (Bandar Sibu) and Peter Chin (Miri) - have all been retained.

The party is also making a bid for the right to nominate the candidate for one of the new seats - Sibuti in northern Sarawak. It has proposed political secretary and lawyer Sebastian Ting.

However, PBB has exerted its demand for the seat as well.