Crisis-ridden Sarawak National Party (Snap), one of Sarawak's oldest-established political parties and a member of the ruling Barisan Nasional, faces a certain de-registration after indications from the leader of a rival faction that a last-minute compromise is "very doubtful".

Last Friday, Registrar of Societies Ismail Dolah Harun faxed show-cause letters to four top party leaders president James Wong Kim Min, deputy president Peter Tinggom, vice-president William Mawan and secretary-general Justine Jinggut on his intention to de-register the party.

He was apparently dissatisfied with the explanations provided by the rival factions since the crisis in the party broke out in April this year.

Malaysiakini carried an exclusive report on the delivery of the show-cause letters on Saturday after it was confirmed by a senior party leader, Senator William Lau, who is a member of the party's central executive committee.