Embattled Sarawak National Party (Snap) president James Wong Kim Min's detractors have publicly stated that they are prepared for the worse in the event the Registrar of Societies (ROS) ruled against them on who the constitutionally-elected party leader is.

William Mawan (photo), who was 'elected' by his faction that is opposed to Wong's leadership as the new 'Snap president' last month was quoted by the English language daily the Sarawak Tribune as saying on Tuesday: "We have and will always remain loyal to Barisan Nasional, and there is no question about that, no matter what."

"I am saying we are prepared for the worse (of the ROS ruling against his faction)," he was quoted as saying after opening a seminar on haze in Kuching.

Mawan's comments took some people by surprise, indicating either he was already aware of what was likely to be the ROS' decision or that he had been told unofficially of it.

Senior members of his faction came back from Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday, reportedly after meeting some federal leaders and officials of the ROS Office.

There have been reports that anticipating the worse, the Mawan group which comprises all but one of the party's nine elected representatives may form their own party and apply to be a member of BN.

The faction is also said to have the support of two-thirds of the party's 62 divisions throughout the state.

Special case

Although the BN federal leadership may discourage this, as the "boat is already quite crowded," they may look at Sarawak as a special case, as all but one of the eight elected representatives aligned to the Mawan group are Dayaks.

The only non-bumiputra is Tiong King Sing, the member of parliament for Bintulu, who has been appointed treasurer-general by the Mawan group.

Pressed to comment on the possibility of a new party being formed, Mawan was quoted in the Sarawak Tribune as saying: "If the small pipit (sparrow) knew how to make its own nest, how is it that people like us sik boleh (cannot)."

Malaysiakini understands that the ROS office after consultation with legal advisers has more or less decided on the matter of who is the legally elected president of Snap.

Both factions have submitted reports on their respective accounts, as requested by the ROS, on what had transpired within Snap and how they proposed to resolve their differences.

Remote reconciliation

Statements, both in public and private, from leaders of the two factions and their supporters would seem to indicate that a reconciliation is extremely remote now, and that unless there is intervention from the top BN leadership or the ROS making a decision soon on the constitutionality issue, the crisis would drag on indefinitely.

Snap is now seen in public eyes as a party with two presidents, and two party administrations and two party headquarters.

Meanwhile, after Wong (photo), president of Snap since 1981, lambasted Sarawak BN chief and Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud, for doing nothing to help prevent the party quarrel from getting worse, especially when some of his own ministers are involved, the latter has been rather quiet lately.

He has not been seen in public for the past several weeks, and is said to be spending his leave overseas.

The Sarawak Tribune today carried a report saying that he would be leading a big Australian alumni delegation visit to Australia. Officials are unwilling to say when Taib will return.