Snap man proposes a way out for PBDS

comments     Tony Thien     Published     Updated

It is said that in politics, anything goes. So it is in Sarawak today, as a leader of a party beset with problems advises another in a similar predicament on the best way to clean up its mess.

The advice came from Justine Jinggut, deputy president of the Sarawak National Party (Snap), de-registered in November 2002 but had since been given a reprieve, to leaders of the troubled Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak (PBDS).

Justine ( right ) said that the only way to resolve the leadership crisis in PBDS is for both factions to accept Daniel Tajem as president and Dr James Masing as deputy president.

"Unless the Tajem camp is prepared to accept Masing as No 2 and Masing is prepared to accept that position, I don't see how a permanent solution can be found to the problems in PBDS," he added.

Ironically, PBDS was formed in1983 after a protracted leadership struggle in Snap split the party right down the middle.

Justine added that he foresaw little problem for Deputy Foreign Minister Joseph Salang to take the treasurer's post in that formula in order to keep the party intact.

"After all, Tajem has reached the top and it is a matter of time before he steps down and if Masing agrees to that arrangement, he will eventually take over as PBDS president," Justine said.

Reservations correct

The former Ulu Rajang MP said quite understandably, Tajem (left) and his supporters have to consider carefully about the proposal to use its previous delegates list for the October 9-10 party elections as this might mean excluding delegates from branches registered with the Registrar of Societies after that particular year.

It could have some grave constitutional consequences that could even lead to another de-registration of the party, he added.

Justine cautioned that under the constitution, the chairperson of the party's credentials committee has to be a party member.

"I'm wondering what the implications are since a non party member, Radzi Sheikh Ahmad (BN secretary-general), heads the committee now?" he said.

Some of these reservations were contained in Tajem's reply to Radzi's proposal a few days ago, while Masing and his supporters accepted the proposal in writing without any reservations whatsoever a week earlier.



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