SNAP ready to discuss pacts with DAP, PRS
By Joseph Tawie, Free Malaysia Today
KUCHING: Sarawak National Party (SNAP) has formed a special committee which has been empowered to discuss collaborations with existing political parties including an electoral pact with DAP.
The four-man committee is to be headed by SNAP’s vice-president Augustine Liom, a former sessions court judge. The other members are Johnny Wong, Johari Bujang and Dayrell Walter Entrie.
Paul Kadang, a close confidant of SNAP president Edwin Dundang, said that the formation of the committee is to work out a mechanism in terms of collaboration such as electoral pacts with DAP.
“They will study the mechanism and report to the main committee of their findings,” he said.
Kadang said that any proposal from any organisation including a suggestion by Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) for closer rapport should not be taken lightly.
“This committee will study seriously any offer of collaboration,” he added, referring to a suggestion by PRS president James Masing for the Dayak-based parties – SNAP, PRS and SPDP – to work together for the common good of the Dayak community.
“The committee will also look into the suggestion,” he said.
On the DAP proposal, he said the party was still in the dark regarding the issue. The merger proposal with SNAP was made last month by DAP national adviser Lim Kit Siang after DAP won 12 out of the 15 seats it had contested in the April 16 state elections.
In three of the seats – Kidurong, Batu Kawah and Kota Sentosa, DAP’s victories were due to surprising support from the Dayaks who accounted for 30% or more of the votes obtained by its candidates.
DAP eyes Dayaks
In other areas like Bawang Assan, Simanggang, Meradong, Repok, Dudong, Senadin, and Piasau, DAP candidates received substantial support from the Dayaks.
Inspired by the support, DAP had announced its plans to woo rural voters.
Lim then tossed the idea of a merger with SNAP which has the support of the rural voters.
By merging with SNAP, DAP is also aiming to shed its image as a Chinese party.
In the coming parliamentary election, DAP is eyeing several Dayak majority seats such as Mas Gading, Mambong, Serian, and Sri Aman.
It also has put up a five-year plan to contest in state seats in the rural areas including Opar, Bengoh, Tarat and Balai Ringin.
DAP believes that for it to gain some credibility and respectability among the rural voters, it has to merge with SNAP.
