Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak's (PBDS) credentials committee - which scrutinises party election matters - defended its action in not approving the branches which purportedly backed one of the key factions in the Dayak-based party.

In a press statement today, committee chairperson Dr Jawie Masing said: "In view of the various insinuations, misleading and sometimes preposterous statements made by certain quarters, I feel compelled to come out of reticence and make the clarifications."

"First, we have followed the PBDS constitution to the letter. One of its fundamental requirements is that annual returns of branches be submitted to the secretary-general (article XV Clause 9).

"The rationale for this is obvious, that is, to enable the party headquarters to vet and verify the returns to ensure they are proper returns (not manufactured ones) submitted by proper officials and from properly registered branches," he added.