Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak (PBDS) deputy president Joseph Salang has denied talk that he is federal minister Leo Moggie's business proxy.

"In all honesty and sincerity, I can tell you Moggie does not have any kind of business as far as I am involved. But we always do things together for the party benefit," he was quoted by Bernama as saying in Bintangor today.

Certain groups had accused Moggie, who is energy, communication and multimedia minister, of seemingly favouring Salang more than Dr James Masing as the party's number two because of this business connection.

Moggie they alleged had thus endorsed his appointment as deputy to Daniel Tajem and as the eventual president.

Salang also said he was pushed into the party top hierarchy more by default rather than by choice or planning.

"The same people too have questioned my so-called junior status within PBDS in the past and yet ironically I am now in the number two position."

He said that in April this year, he had publicly announced that he was more than willing to give Masing a free ride to the post even if he himself was nominated to it in order to keep PBDS intact.

Heed CM's advice

But he said the offer, made in good faith was belittled and he was chided.

"People think I am a junior in the party, conveniently ignoring the fact I am a founder member."

In another Bernama report, Salang also called on his rivals to respect the advice of Sarawak

Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud to the two factions to cool off and refrain from organising any public mass gathering.

Salang said the chief minister gave the advice when the two factions called on him a few days ago.

The Masing/Sng faction is organising a mass gathering at the Sibu town square over the weekend where according to Larry Sng, chairman of the organising committee, about 10,000 party members and supporters were expected to attend the gathering.