SNAP’s sec-gen quits over ‘BN leanings’

ARCHIVES 2013

By MT Webmaster On Jan 4, 2013

The latest resignation could trigger a major exodus from Sarawak National Party, pushing the party further into political doldrums.

Joseph Tawie, FMT

KUCHING: Speculations that Sarawak Nasional Party (SNAP) will return to Barisan Nasional were confirmed with the resignation of its secretary-general Frankie Nyumboi.

Nyumboi cited “major differences” with SNAP president Stanley Jugol as the reason for his resignation adding that he did not want to be with a party that ‘betrayed’ its members.

In a text message to FMT, Nyumboi said: “I have relinquished my post as secretary-general and have informed the president on Nov 30, 2012 via SMS at about 5.00 pm.

“I do not agree with his direction to rejoin BN and the manner he had made the decision does not take into account the feelings and desire of members at large.

“I do not want to be a party to a decision which betrays the general members’ aspirations,” he said, who is also the party’s elected vice-president.

Nyumboi, who was appointed in January last year as secretary-general, said SNAP was putting itself in a very insignificant position by adopting to be BN-friendly or ‘leaning towards’ BN.

“Grassroots members have lost their trust and hope in the party and lately its image diminished significantly with its loud silence on political issues and the goings-on in the political scene. Perhaps this is just to appease (BN masters),” he said.

With regard to his intention to contest the Mas Gading seat, Nyumboi said that it is still on unless the party refuses to endorse him.

Under such circumstance, he foresees a “new scenario” emerging. He however declined to explain what the “new scenario” would be.

The SNAP national council is scheduled to meet on Jan 16 to decide Nyumboi’s resignation among others but the later knows his appointment as secretary-general will not be renewed.

SNAP in BN?

Nyumboi’s resignation is expected to trigger mass resignations by those who disagree with the top leadership’s decision to return to the BN fold and their resignations may send SNAP further into the abyss of political doldrums.

SNAP was deregistered in November 2002 after an unresolved party leadership crisis which also resulted in the formation of Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP).

Even though the party’s deregistration was reversed by the Court of Appeal in June 2010, SNAP’s membership in BN remains a mystery.

It had never been sacked from BN nor quit the BN.