Sarawak United People's Party (Supp) president Dr George Chan, under heavy criticisms from certain party leaders, is expected to seek a vote of confidence at a crucial party leadership meeting tomorrow.

According to sources, Chan, who was publicly criticised by deputy Law Hieng Ding for allegedly breaching 'a gentleman's agreement' by failing to nominate the latter for a federal cabinet post, told several elected representatives in private recently that he wanted to ask the central working committee (CWC) members to declare their support for his leadership.

However, according to the same sources, Chan was also cautioned by senior party colleagues against forcing the issue for a vote as he could risk splitting the party further.

The sources said Chan told an elected representative who was summoned to see him recently that he (Chan) could produce a letter to show he had sought an appointment to see Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi immediately after the general election in March and another letter showing that Law's name was included in the list of recommendations for a federal cabinet post.

Stepping down?

When Chan was told about a third letter, believed to be from the prime minister's office, that did not show Law's name, his immediate reaction was that if anyone could produce that letter he would step down.

Law was dropped as he claimed the party president did not put his name forward to be included in the new cabinet line-up.

The former science, technology and environment minister said he would not have accepted to contest the parliamentary seat if he had been told by the party leadership he was not going to be appointed a federal minister again.

Law said he agreed to stand after getting an assurance that his name would be put forward, if elected again.

Chan also came indirectly under strong public criticisms from Works Ministry Parliamentary Secretary Yong Khoon Seng for saying he was not recommended for a deputy minister post because he had not been performing.

Yong, a four-term MP and Supp vice-president, was upset with the snide remarks and had blasted the party leadership

Close ties with CM

Malaysiakini

learnt from the same sources that Chan had confided to a few close party colleagues that the real issue in the party was not Law but rather his close ties with Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud.

He told them he should not have been blamed if the party had lost support from the Chinese electorate, more specifically in Bandar Kuching, just because his daughter is married to the chief minister's son.

He was also said to have told one of them that he would step down eventually and hand over the reins to a younger leader.

Tomorrow's meeting to be held at the Supp headquarters in Kuching is expected to be attended by most if not all the elected representatives.

Yesterday, Law and Yong told malaysiakini they were still undecided whether to attend.