The faction of the just deregistered Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak (PBDS) led by Dr James Masing said today that they had not yet decided on the political vehicle to use or to 'park' themselves following the party's deregistration.

The group comprises nine out of the party's 14 elected representatives - six state assemblypersons and three members of parliament.

In a brief conversation with reporters in Bau where he accompanied Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud on an official visit, Masing also would not say that he and his supporters would definitely join the Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) if and when it is registered. Its promoters are awaiting the Registrar of Societies' approval.

The Sarawak Barisan Nasional supreme council is expected to meet tomorrow afternoon to discuss the latest developments in PBDS, deregistered yesterday for allegedly violating party constitution in the run-up to its recent party elections.

State BN meeting

The meeting will immediately follow the BN's pre-council meeting of BN elected representatives ahead of Monday's sitting of the state legislative assembly.

Abdul Taib Mahmud, speaking to reporters in Bau, said the latest developments in PBDS would definitely be on the agenda.

While the faction led by Daniel Tajem who controls five of the 14 elected representatives of PBDS have said they will stay put and not join or 'park' themselves with other parties in the BN, there is every indication that the Masing group may be temporarily parked in Parti Pesaka Bumiputra Bersatu (PBB), Sarawak United People's Party (Supp) and Sarawak Democratic Progressive Party (SPDP).

There is also speculation that the new party PRS may get the ROS' nod as early as next week, but unless an early State BN supreme council meeting is scheduled, that will leave all the 14 elected representatives - eight state assemblypersons and six MPs - partyless, unless they are 'parked' with other component parties.