A campaign within Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak (PBDS), a ruling Sarawak Barisan Nasional component party now saddled with a leadership crisis, is underway in earnest to get party president Leo Moggie to stay in an effort to avert the possiblity of the party going the same way as the now-defunct Sarawak National Party (Snap).

A total of what a pro-Moggie faction's press statement described as 61 duly accredited branches from Julau, Betong, Saratok, Sarikei, Meradong and Sibu held a special assembly at Rumah Dayak, Saratok, about 240 km from Kuching, today to urge Moggie, the federal Minister of Energy, Telecommuncations and Multimedia, to remain for at least another term and for his deputy Daniel Tajem to remain in his present position.

"It is necessary for Moggie and Tajem to remain in their present positions in order to continue their excellent services to the party, the state and country," said the statement faxed to malaysiakini on behalf of the group by party leader Paul Kadang.

"By remaining in their present positions, they will also help ensure a smooth succession of the party

leadership at a later date."