The Masing-Sng group in Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak (PBDS) is planning a big gathering in Bintulu on July 24 - an event that is expected to give a clearer indication of its leaders' plans.

Masing faction leader Dublin Unting, who is the assistant tourism minister, confirmed the date to malaysiakini .

Unless there is top-level intervention or mediation efforts to bring the two warring factions in the party together, the fight is likely to be a long and protracted one.

After Daniel Tajem and his supporters were returned unopposed to all party posts on Friday, Dr James Masing, leader of the rival faction, rejected the election results.

He alleged that the nomination process was flawed in many ways, including preventing a large number of branches supporting his faction from taking part in the nomination of candidates.

Of the party's 14 elected representatives, nine are from Masing's camp. Two political secretaries to the chief minister are also behind him.

Support for CM

Bolstered by what he clearly sees as strong grassroots support, Masing is not about to concede defeat. He told reporters last week that his group would go on with a roadshow in Sibu, Miri and Bintulu.

Malaysiakini

learnt today that the group is planning its own gathering, similar to the party's triennial delegates conference (TDC), perhaps even bigger than the Kapit gathering a week ago.

This is intended to demonstrate support for state Barisan Nasional chairperson Abdul Taib Mahmud ( photo ) as the chief minister, as well as for Masing and other leaders of his faction.

The gathering is expected to be attended by delegates and observers representing some 175 branches and will be another forum for them to express their rejection of the new party leadership line-up.

It is further learned that the Masing faction is planning to send a few thousand supporters to welcome Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad at the opening of the new extension to Miri Airport at the end of the month.

Meanwhile, the Tajem faction is quietly carrying on with preparations for the party's TDC on July 26-27. It will be a closed-door affair without an opening ceremony or fanfare.

A party official said some 1,000 delegates and observers would attend the meeting, which will consider various resolutions.

Among these are a proposal to amend the party constitution to ensure that key posts are reserved for Dayaks, although the party is multi-racial in character.

This would affect future elections for posts such as president, deputy president, secretary-general and treasurer-general. Non Dayak members would be allowed to contest other posts.