Rivals of Sarawak United People's Party (Supp) chief Dr George Chan, who faces a no-confidence vote, are to visit the party's 35 branches to explain their move and seek support.

De facto group leader Wong Soon Koh, the deputy secretary-general, announced in Sibu yesterday that the state-wide roadshow would start soon. The group has openly said it no longer has confidence in Chan's leadership.

The no-confidence motion is likely to be tabled at the next special delegates' conference (SDC), possibly on Jan 7. The central working committee has first to meet, likely next week, to decide on the date and venue.

The faction, which includes deputy president Law Hieng Ding ( photo ), has given notice of its intention to introduce the no-confidence motion against Chan and a motion to elect a new leader.

Wong, who is Sibu branch chairperson, is expected to be nominated by the group to take over as president.

Yesterday, Pending branch secretary Lu Kim Yong said the party's position would be jeopardised in the next elections if Chan does not step down.

Sibu branch deputy chairperson Robert Lau recently said that, if a leader is incapable of putting his house in order and unable to take care of his family, then he could not be expected to take care of the party.

Chan is being largely blamed for the party's debacle in the May state elections, when it lost eight of the 19 seats it contested.

Ironically, most of those who lost their seats - such as in Kuching area - are behind him, but there is a split in the ranks at Kuching-level branches over the situation.

Chan is not taking things lying down. He has been able to get a public pledge of support from 10 of the party's elected representatives.

What will count, though, is the way delegates eventually vote at the SDC.

'Delicate situation'

Chief Minister and state Barisan Nasional (BN) chief Abdul Taib Mahmud, in his first reaction to the crisis, yesterday described the situation as a "delicate one".

Observers interpret this to mean 'dangerous' for both Supp and the BN, and for himself.

Supp has been loyal to Taib ever since he took over as chief minister in 1981, from his uncle Abdul Rahman Yakub.

However, Supp under Chan appears to have to been listening too much to Taib and very little to other party leaders, leading to the accusation that Chan has lost control over party management.

Taib yesterday indicated that he might have to step in as a peacemaker. But that may no longer be possible because the salvos against Chan have become personal.

Wong, at a press conference in Sibu, said those in the rival faction are no longer worried about their party positions and ministerial posts because they see that the only way to save the party is to replace Chan with a younger leader.

Supp Youth chief Allan Sim told malaysiakini that he expects the SDC to be "hot and lively one" when the issue comes up for discussion.