Sarawak United People's Party (Supp) deputy president Law Hieng Ding may be among those who signed the pledge of loyalty to party president Dr George Chan at yesterday's central working committee (CWC) meeting but he also kept his word and spoke up on the need to bring back the CWC 's decision-making role on important party policy matters.

According a CWC member, who asked not to be identified, the former science, technology and environment minister who recently criticised Chan for reneging on 'a gentleman's agreement' that led to his exclusion from the federal cabinet, had also made his views known in writing to all 24 CWC members.

He spoke about it at the meeting, chaired by Chan, who is Sarawak deputy chief minister, at the Supp headquarters in Kuching yesterday afternoon.

At the meeting, all members, including Law and Works Ministry Parliamentary Secretary and party vice-president Yong Khoon Seng, another of Chan's recent critic, signed the written pledge of support for Chan to continue leading the party.

According to many observers, the written pledge demanded by Chan from his top party colleagues prior to the meeting, appears to be "in exchange for him to respect the CWC members' feelings on the subject".

The CWC member said most of those who spoke at the meeting shared Law's views on the need for proper consultation at the appropriate forum, meaning the CWC, on all major decisions affecting the party's interests, including government appointments.

Feelings made known

"This is to try and avoid putting major decision-making in the hands of only a handful of people," he added, in an obvious reference to recent developments, in what several party leaders see could lead to an unhealthy trend.

After several members spoke on the subject, Chan was said to have replied that he would look into the matter.

The CWC member said: "The party president knows the members' feelings on the issue. It remains to be seen whether he will listen. At any rate, no major decisions are expected anytime now."

Even the much-talked state cabinet reshuffle is not expected to take place until June. It has been thought that it may not take place at all, if state elections are called before its present term ends.

On Law's case, the CWC member said the fact is that it was too late to do anything about it as he has been dropped from the federal cabinet. "There is nothing that can be done about it now."

He was, however, concerned at continuing political undercurrents within the party or might happen later because, according to him, "there appears to be an air of superficiality to the open pledge of support for Chan."

"Perhaps some people don't want to tell too much what they are planning. After all, the party elections are not due till end of next year"' he added.

Chan has on several occasions publicly stated and also to several party colleagues that he would eventually step down.

Party leaders and members from central Sarawak, specifically Sibu, is said to be preparing a senior party leader who is considered generally acceptable by everyone and is mild-mannered to take over as president when Chan decides not to see re-election next year.