The Sarawak National Party (Snap), it appears, is gearing itself to contest the coming polls in the opposition. Its leaders had been making bold statements against Barisan Nasional leaders in Sarawak in recent days.

Yesterday, its secretary general Stanley Jugol accused state BN leaders of adopting a 'big brother' attitude in clamping down on any dissent and disagreement which it said was responsible for the demise of their fellow BN partners - Snap and Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak (PBDS).

Jugol was commenting on the adverse reaction of three senior state BN leaders -- Sarawak United People's Party (Supp) president Dr George Chan, Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP) president William Mawan and de-registered PBDS information chief Dr James Masing - to Snap president Edwin Dundang's criticisms of the "Politics of Development" advocated by Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud.

Referring to criticisms made by Dundang regarding the implementation of the "Politics of Development" during the party's weekend national council meeting, the three leaders said the Snap leader had offended the BN leadership and that he (Dundang) was up to some political mischief.

Party's stand

Jugol, in a press statement issued to malaysiakini yesterday, said Dundang's views reflected that of the party. The presidential address was tabled, debated and adopted at the two-day national council meeting.

"What the Snap president said was out of sincerity and love for the people of Sarawak," Jugol said. He also asked whether dissent and disagreement would make one an opposition.

"Perhaps those who have suffered under Taib's Politics of Development can clearly see the need for a urgent overall of Sarawak BN."

Replying to the three BN leaders' remarks about bridges being burnt, Jugol asked sarcastically, "What bridges? We know of BN bridges not being completed - Batang Kayan and Batang Rajang. Yes, Snap bridge is no longer in existence. Snap bridge was burnt and destroyed by SPDP and the state BN."

He added, "Snap is not worried as bridges are built by the voters and the voters are going to build a new and stronger bridge for Snap again.

"Having bridges burnt are not unusual. There are some in BN now who were having their bridges burnt in the past when contesting against the BN. But the voters built new ones for them."

Jugol also said that Snap's stance on Sarawak BN is sincere and not targetted at any individual. "Let us be frank - the state BN is not perfect and there is room for improvement."

"If the three leaders - Dr George Chan ( right ), Mawan ( left ) and Masing - are sincere, they should have an open mind to discuss problems affecting the state BN.

"Their action shows their ignorance and their refusal to listen to people's view except their own. They are always right, others are always wrong."

New BN style?

Jugol cited the appointment of local councillors as a case in point.

"Some of those appointed are 'partyless' or from a party which is still being deregistered. Further, they seem to be from one faction only! In another case, a person sponsoring the registration of a party (Parti Rakyat Sarawak) outside the BN has been appointed a councillor and a walikota."

Is this the new style of the Sarawak BN, he asked.

"Also what right has Masing ( photo ) to chair a BN meeting in Kapit recently and appoint Hulu Rejang MP Billy Abit Joo as BN liaison committee head for Hulu Rejang?

"Both of them are from a de-registered PBDS and therefore are no more members of BN and have authority to chair any BN meeting. Is this a normal practice of state BN now," the Snap secretary-general posed.