No nod for MDC

comments     Tony Thien     Published     Updated

The Malaysian Dayak Congress (MDC) will not be registered before the Sarawak election, its pro tem chairperson Nicholas Bawin said today.

He told malaysiakini that this disappointing message was conveyed by Deputy Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak following a meeting in Putrajaya this morning.

"He informed us that the party would not be registered before nomination day (May 9). It may be registered after the polls," Bawin added.

The application for registration was submitted about a year ago and Bawin and other party officials had lobbied through various channels in Kuala Lumpur.

The state Barisan Nasional, especially the Dayak-based PRS and SPDP, have objected strongly to the registration on the ground it will split the Dayaks further.

Bawin said Najib asked during the 40-minute meeting why they wanted to form MDC as it would split the community further politically.

On Snap ticket

He explained that the present Dayak-based parties were not performing and not looking after the interests of the community.

Also the delegation were MDC pro tem deputy chairperson Dr Johnicol Rayong and an Orang Ulu lawyer Baru Bian.

Bawin said Najib then informed them he would report to the Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi on their meeting today.

"As the outcome of the meeting was not a postive one for us, we do not expect the MDC to be registered before the polls, maybe only after," Bawin said.

Candidates proposed by MDC will now have to consider other options to contest - either as Independents or on Sarawak National Party (Snap) ticket. Former deputy chief minister Daniel Tajem who is expected to stand in Bukit Begunan and Bawin who will contest in Batang Ai are expected to use either Snap symbol or as Independents using a common symbol.



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