Embattled Sarawak National Party president James Wong Kim Min was dealt another blow with the defection of the party's women chief Winnie Jolly to the rebel group that has been clamouring for the aging leader to step down.

The latest development came in the wake of a big gathering of divisional chiefs from 50 of the party's 62 divisions in Miri on Sunday that coincided with the Senadin division's extraordinary general meeting.

Winnie, wife of the Snap member of parliament for Baram Jacob Sagan, a former senior agricultural officer, was originally a supporter of Wong, 80. She stayed back to support Wong when nine of the party's central executive committee members staged a walk-out from a party meeting last month.

Yesterday, she made a brief statement saying it was time for the president to quit and give way to younger leaders in the party.

Apart from Winnie, youth leader Dr Judson Sakai Tagal, who is one of the seven elected vice-presidents, is also aligned with the anti-Wong group, led by party vice-president William Mawan.

Mawan, who is also the minister of environment and several other top party leaders aligned to him attended yesterday's gathering, which was held at a local hotel.

Like a similar gathering in Sibu two weeks ago, Mawan and several party leaders explained to the delegates the circumstances leading the walk-out at the party's CEC in Kuching on April 20.

At the CEC meeting, the president and his men took the decision to expel the controversial member of parliament for Bintulu and party treasurer Tiong King Sing from the party.

The Mawan group are now saying that because the Registrar of Societies have not approved certain constitutional amendments, the decision (the appointment of certain CEC members by the president and the sacking of Tiong) is unconstitutional, null and void.

No intention to leave party