The two rival factions in the crisis-ridden Sarawak National Party (Snap) embroiled in a leadership dispute appear to be in a quandary today. This follows yesterday's shocking fax message from the Registrar of Societies (ROS) giving show-cause notice of his intention to de-register the party for what has been described as violations of party constitution.

Registrar Ismail Dolah Harun's decision was contained in a letter faxed to the four party leaders in the centre of the leadership dispute James Wong Kim Min, the president, Peter Tinggom, deputy president, William Mawan, vice president and the man elected by his supporters last month as 'president,' and Justine Jinggut, the secretary-general.

Snap central executive committee member Senator William Lau, who is also a lawyer and corporate leader, confirmed to malaysiakini that Wong and Justine had received the ROS' letter yesterday by fax.

According to Lau, the gist of the message was that because the ROS had found actions contrary to the party constitution, he (the ROS) was therefore giving notice of one month to de-register the party "unless I am given satisfactory reasons why it should not be done."

Although certain quarters in an immediate reaction described it as "no decision" meaning it has not stated anything at all about who is or is not the legitimate president of the party, it is nevertheless seen as a greater blow to the Wong faction.

The ROS was exercising his powers under Section 13(2) of the Societies Act.

A great surprise

Lau told malaysiakini the ROS' decision "if it amounts to that" came as a great surprise, especially to the Wong's faction because there had been no indications in Wong's meetings with the ROS and the Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi that such a drastic action the de-registration of the party had been given.

Instead, according to him, Wong had agreed to the views expressed by certain top Barisan Nasional leaders that those Snap leaders who had been suspended, with the exception of the controversial member of parliament for Bintulu Tiong King Sing, be re-instated in their posts.

This refers to Peter Tinggom, the deputy president, and Dr Judson Sakai Tagal, Snap Youth chief and one of the vice presidents.

It is learnt that upon receiving the ROS' letter by fax, Wong immediately telephoned the ROS. It is not known what transpired during the conversation.

He is, however, believed to have indicated his great disappointment after being led to believe earlier on that he would be declared the legitimate president of the party on conditions that certain conditions be complied with. He had agreed to this in writing.

Lau disclosed that Wong had scheduled a central executive committee (CEC) meeting for next week to discuss his meetings with the ROS and the deputy premier and to move motions on lifting the suspensions of party leaders, except Tiong.

Tinggom and Mawan were not immediately available for comment.

Favourable to Mawan's camp

However, according to well-informed sources, what the ROS' letter implies is something favourable to the Mawan group which is now planning to hold their triennial delegates conference at the end of September or early October.

According to party sources, the ROS' decision has stunned Wong and his supporters. "They have not even been able to win the battle, let alone the war, in the prolonged crisis which has seen the party now with two presidents, two sets of administration and two party headquarters".

Several political analysts, however, feel the ROS' latest decision "as a triumph of sort" for the Mawan group, "as they can now tell the 80-year-old veteran politician and former state minister Wong to gracefully step down by bowing down to the wishes of the majority of party leaders and members."

"It is a reasonable conclusion that the only option for Wong and his supporters now is to be present at the TGM that has been called by the Mawan faction."

Most political observers agree that the threat by the ROS to de-register Snap, Sarawak's second oldest political party, is serious. However, they also feel that the ROS is still clearing the way for Wong, now left with dwindling support within the party, to work with all the party's elected representatives, even Tiong, in the interest of keeping the party intact.

Can be accomodated

Mawan himself had said in Limbang a few days ago that he saw no problem in working together with Wong and his politician son Richard Wong, who is also the state assemblyperson for Limbang.

The state minister of environment and public health said Wong Senior could become advisor of Snap for as long he wants to and that his son Richard, the senior vice president, could still be accommodated.

He made no mention of any other names linked to Wong's camp.

A new Snap with Mawan accepted by both sides as president is certain to exclude some of the party leaders who have been in the party row. Justine Jinggut (photo), the secretary-general appointed by Wong, is certain to be left out. Another is likely to be Edmund Stanley Jugol, the deputy secretary-general and political secretary to the Chief Minister.

TONY THIEN is malaysiakini correspondent in Kuching, Sarawak.