The Dayak-based Sarawak National Party (Snap) today said Parti Pesaka Bumiputra (PBB) stalwart Alfred Jabu Numpang should not have been "offended or embarrassed" by its proposal that he takes over from state Barisan Nasional and PBB chief Abdul Taib Mahmud.

Snap president Edwin Dundang told malaysiakini he was surprised as to why Jabu, the No 2 in PBB, has reacted negatively to the suggestion which was made "out of sincerity".

Dundang made the proposal on Monday when unveiling his party's six-point election manifesto which called for, among other things, an amendment to the state constitution to limit the chief minister's tenure to 10 years.

Yesterday, both Abdul Taib, who has held the Sarawak chief minister's post since 1981, and Jabu, who is one of the state's longest-serving ministers, described the Snap leader's suggestion as nothing more than "a mischievous attempt" to drive a wedge between them.

Jabu ( photo ) also said it was an election ploy to get the Dayaks to go against Taib during the ongoing run-up to polling day on March 21.

Dundang said his party's proposal for Jabu to take over "as and when Taib steps down" was not made to ridicule him in the eyes of anyone.

"If not Jabu, who else? He is after all the next most senior man in PBB. Why is he not even considered as a possible successor? Why are only Abang Johari (PBB deputy president), Adenan Satem (senior vice-president) and Effendi Norwawi (vice-president) being considered?"

Iban

factor

Dundang said Snap considered Jabu, an Iban agriculturalist turned politician, capable of taking on the state's top job..

"If he does not consider himself experienced and capable enough and if he thinks the proposal was made out of malice , then I am sorry for him. Is he suggesting that an Iban cannot become the chief minister?" he asked.

Meanwhile, reacting to the Snap election manifesto which endorsed its support for Barisan Nasional chairperson's Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's leadership but rejecting the state BN under Taib's leadership, Abdul Taib said Snap and its leaders "lacked credibility."

"The party president and his deputy (Justin Jinggut) are not even contesting the elections," he said, declining further comment.

Taib, however, said that recent events showed that the people of Sarawak still wanted him to continue as state leader.

He was referring to him being returned unopposed as member of Prliament for Kota Samarahan on nomination day and earlier calls from various quarters in the state for him to carry on as chief minister.