Defying logic and perhaps an indication that politics is nothing more than an art of the possible, ex-Sarawak National Party (Snap) senior vice-president and Limbang state assemblyperson Richard Wong has confirmed to some party colleagues that he will join the newly-registered Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP).

SPDP is led by William Mawan ( right ), 53, an Iban, the political nemesis of Richard's father James Wong Kim Min ( left ) who in early November was told by the Registrar of Societies (ROS) that Snap would be deregistered following the failure by party leaders to resolve their internal disputes.

Ex-Snap central committee member Senator William Lau, a Sibu-based lawyer and corporate leader, told malaysiakini today that Richard called him this morning to inform his decision to join SPDP on the advice of Sarawak Chief Minister and state Barisan Nasional leader Abdul Taib Mahmud after a meeting on Monday.

According to Lau a Wong loyalist Richard also told him that he would make an announcement about his decision in the next few days.

The Sarawak Tribune yesterday said Richard had listened to Abdul Taib's advice "for the sake of BN stability and for the sake of the people of Limbang".

Richard's decision to join SPDP, although something that had been expected in some quarters, surprised many others, especially since his father and ex-Snap secretary-general Justine Jinggit are still trying to revive the party by appealing to the home minister, and failing this, to challenge the decision in court.

Late last month the Kuala Lumpur High Court rejected Wong and Justine's application for a judicial review of the ROS' decision, saying that they should go and appeal to the home minister first before going to court.

Acted on his own?

Richard's decision has led to much speculation as to whether he had acted on his own or with the knowledge and tacit approval of his father.

It is no secret that the Wong family business has not been doing as well as they had hoped and that Richard's move could be an attempt "to help save the family business" which is connected to timber, property, insurance and coal mining.

Commenting on Richard's decision to join SPDP, several political observers feel that it should offer at least a 50 percent chance of keeping his Limbang state seat for at least another term. This will maintain the long tradition of the state seat being in the hands of the Wongs for more than three decades.

There is also speculation with reports on an imminent minor cabinet reshuffle expected to include the elevation of an assistant minister to a full minister and the appointment of one or two new assistant ministers that SPDP may push for Richard to be considered for such an appointment.

Last year, after the state elections, Snap under the elder Wong pushed for Richard to be appointed to the state cabinet.

But instead chief minister Abdul Taib picked Mawan and appointed him a full minister to take charge of environment, public health and local government matters after the elder Wong stepped down from his cabinet post.

When Richard makes his decision official later this week, that will leave Snap if at all it would be revived without a single elected representative save for William Lau, who had told malaysiakini earlier that he would not join SPDP and instead serve his remaining term as a member of the Senate.