updated version

In a surprise development, the registration of the Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP) was approved by the Registrar of Societies today, three days after the de-registration of Sarawak National Party (Snap).

The party's pro tem leader William Mawan, who is Sarawak's minister for public health and environment, told a press conference in Miri that his office in Kuching received the letter of approval via fax from the ROS in Kuala Lumpur this morning.

Mawan is the leader of a key faction in Snap, one of Sarawak's oldest political parties which was de-registered on Tuesday.

Also present at the press conference held at Mega Hotel in downtown Miri were Deputy Chief Minister and Sarawak United People's Party (Supp) president George Chan Hon Nam and assistant minister of infrastructure development and communications Dr Jakson Sakai Tagal, who is expected to be elected secretary-general of the new party.

A beaming Mawan whose application to register the new party followed immediately after the ROS announced the de-registration of Snap on Tuesday said one of their immediate tasks would be to apply immediately to join the Barisan Nasional.

Another would be to immediately register members of the now defunct Snap.

The approval letter came a day after Prime Minister and Barisan Nasional chairperson Dr Mahathir Mohamad said he would like to see Snap rehabilitated through the formation of a new party.

Swift approval a surprise

The swiftness with which the Mawan group received their approval from the ROS surprised its members as much as the public.

Only yesterday Mawan told reporters he expected approval within the next two weeks.

Meanwhile, Mawan's former rival James Wong Kim Min who headed Snap for more than 20 years until its de-registration on Tuesday refused to take calls from the media.

His secretary told malaysiakini that Wong was aware of the approval given to his rival on the registration of SPDP.

A political secretary to the Chief Minister Stanley Jugol who was deputy secretary-general of the defunct party, told malaysiakini that Wong was still hoping to be able to meet with Mahathir.

"He wants to seek Dr Mahathir's advice," he said without elaborating.

End of the road

There is an air of great despondency in the headquarters of the de-registered Snap after news of SPDP's registration spread among its members and staff.

Its former secretary-general Justine Jinggut, a former member of parliament, could not be contacted too.

Malaysiakini understands that although Wong had said that he would be appealing against the ROS' decision, there has been talk that Wong is well aware that he has reached the end of the road.

One source told malaysiakini that Wong has even told his son Richard, 48, the state assemblyperson for Limbang, to apply and join the Chinese-based Supp.

Publicly, Wong Jr was quoted in Sarawak's dailies as saying that he would stick with his father to try and revive Snap.