Barisan Nasional secretary-general Mohamed Rahmat's statement in Kuching over the weekend on the affairs of Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak (PBDS) and the Sarawak National Party (Snap) was described as a "classic example" of interference by federal BN politicians with little knowledge of the 'real' situation in Sarawak politics.

A senior Snap stalwart told malaysiakini today that he found it appalling the way Mohamed contradicted himself with his BN bosses when he made sweeping claims and 'issued' instructions even before the matters were discussed and decided by the BN supreme council.

"What did he mean when he mentioned that Snap has to re-apply to join the BN? At this point in time, Snap is not even out of its legal wrangle yet. Therefore, the question does not arise.

"And that 'instruction' to Snap to re-apply? Did it come from the BN top leadership or just from Mohamed himself?

Still BN member

"On top of that, Snap can always argue that since it never left the BN nor was the party sacked, there is absolutely no reason to re-apply. Snap is still a BN member as long as it legally exists", said the former Snap vice-president, who asked not to be named.

Yesterday, Snap deputy president Justine Jinggut criticised Mohamed for trying to pre-empt the forthcoming BN supreme council's decision on the party's membership status in the ruling coalition.

"Mohamed has no authority to make such a statement. He should not try to pre-empt the BN supreme council's decision. He should leave it to the prime minister," a visibly annoyed Justine told malaysiakini.

Last night, PBDS secretary-general Stanley Ajang also refuted Mohamed's claim that he (Mohamed) had ever proposed a no-contest formula to avoid a Daniel Tajem-Dr James Masing clash in the party's recent elections.

"Nor did Mohamed raise the point that he was reported by Bernama to have mentioned during the first meeting he had with a group of PBDS leaders, including the president, at the Kuching Hilton on July 23," Ajang said.

Breakaway parties

On Mohamed's statement that "there is no way the BN will accept the Snap formula to resolve the PBDS crisis" by allowing breakaway groups to form new parties, the Snap stalwart said by Mohamed's admission, it seems that the impending 'demise' of Snap had been 'orchestrated' by certain BN quarters.

"Otherwise, how can one explain the lightning registration of the Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP)?," he asked.

To go back 20 years ago, the registration of PBDS (a breakaway party from Snap) in 1983 was also conducted in similar fashion, he said.

Conceding that Snap had often faced difficulties in putting its house in order in the past, he however said interference by BN leaders from Kuala Lumpur not knowledgeable of the sensitivities of local politics would only worsen matters.

"Mohamed's recent remarks is a case in point. It is better for federal BN politicians to stay clear of our internal party problems if they have no idea how to help us.

"In certain cases, it is even better that they refrain from opening their mouth ... that is already a great help," he added.