Leaders of the yet-to-be-registered Malaysian Dayak Congress (MDC) have rebuffed overtures from their Dayak rivals in the state ruling coalition to abandon their political struggle on their own and instead join them in a merger of Dayak political forces under the Barisan Nasional.

This apparently came about after three top leaders linked to MDC were invited to attend what they thought would be a discussion among a few well-wishers and friends to discuss some important legal matters connected with the party's registration.

But the dinner party held in a Batu Kawah restaurant in Kuching turned out to be a 'secret session' for representatives of SPDP and PRS as well as some leaders of the former PBDS, including Deputy Foreign Minister Joseph Salang, to discuss a merger.

Earlier in the day MDC pro tem president Nicholas Bawin had received a telephone call from an Iban lawyer friend requesting him to come to a meeting in the evening to discuss 'some very important matters' to which he had agreed.

Former deputy chief minister Daniel Tajem, who was PBDS president before it was de-registered 18 months ago and advisor to the MDC group, also received a similar invitation. He asked MDC pro tem deputy president Dr Johnical Rayong along.

But Bawin and Dr Johnical still thought it was about the party's registration matters. After waiting for six months, MDC has yet to hear from the Registrar of Societies.

On arrival at the restaurant, the MDC trio were surprised to see several leaders of SPDP and PRS as well as Salang present.

Salang's attempt

According to SPDP deputy president Peter Nyarok, Salang spoke briefly before dinner saying that the various Dayak groups should merge as it would be good for the community.

Salang himself is expected to bring the remaining still partyless elected representatives of PBDS and members back into the BN fold once the merger between SPDP and PRS and his group materialises.

Tajem, according to a party source, also spoke briefly but cautiously at the function. He said: "I am partyless now and as such I am open (to suggestion)."

However, a few minutes later, he asked to be excused saying he has a stomach ache. He was soon followed by Nicholas and Johnical.

Sources told malaysiakini that Salang had called for the meeting with the hope of convincing some of his former colleagues in PBDS, including those now trying to form MDC, to go along with him and support the proposed merger of Barisan Nasional's Dayak-based political parties and partyless members from PBDS.

"It was clear that Salang was trying to ask the MDC group to give up their lone struggle and to join the BN Dayak parties in the merger process," the sources added.

A PRS leader who did not attend the meeting but knew about it said the purpose was to convince the MDC group the meeting was 'one big disaster.'

Nicholas told malaysiakini after the meeting he was not about to give so easily after going through so much, especially after his contract as deputy chairperson at the Majlis Adat Istiadat was terminated last year.