SNAP to walk alone

SNAP is ready to contest in four seats in the 13th general election.

KUCHING: Sarawak National Party (SNAP) has re-affirmed its position as an opposition party and likely to walk alone in the 13th general election.

The party’s central executive committee (CEC), which met yesterday, said SNAP would “go on its own” in the parliamentary polls.

Said party secretary-general Frankie Jurem Nyumboi: “SNAP takes this stand as it is the only Sarawak’s political party that truly understands and is able to articulate how Sarawakians have been short-changed by the federal government in according Sarawakians their autonomy and rights under the 18-point agreement, which is the essential foundation for the formation of Malaysia.

“We are approaching the 50th year of the birth of our nation Malaysia and the slogan ‘Janji Ditepati’ will ring very hallow to the Sarawakians so long as the letter and the spirit of the 18-point agreement remain unhonoured and unfulfilled.”

SNAP, which was formed on April 10, 1961 was a party to the formation of Malaysia.

Its leader Stephen Kalong Ningkan did not agree to the idea of forming the federation unless there were some safeguards.

Thus the 18-point agreement was part of the safeguards, pledges and promises.

One of these safeguards was that if the governor was Malay, the chief minister should be Dayak.

Ningkan was made the first chief minister, while Abang Haji Openg became the first governor.

Ningkan was dismissed when he tried to defend the 18-point agreement. With his dismissal, almost all the 18-point Malaysia agreement and pledges have been ignored.

SNAP, together with the Sabah chapter of the State Reform Party (STAR) under the United Borneo Front, are exploiting these 18-20 point agreement (20-point agreement is for Sabah) and other pledges to spearhead their campaign for the coming election.

SNAP to contest four seats

The party, meanwhile, has also said it is ready to contest in four seats in the coming general election.

“Our preparations are in full swing and at this point of time we are definite of contesting in Mas Gading, Saratok, Lubok Antu and Baram.

“We are leaving traditional SNAP strongholds like Serian to our fellow UBF [United Borneo Front] members,” said Nyumboi.

SNAP president Stanley Jugol is said to be going for the Saratok constituency, while his deputy Kebing Wan is tipped for the Baram seat.

Nyumboi, who is poised to contest the Mas Gading seat, said that SNAP is not in conflict with STAR.

“We share similar agenda and platform. We complement each other and in Sarawak their members are expected to give full support to SNAP,” he said.

But STAR Sarawak vice-president Patrick Anek Uren said that his party is eyeing Mas Gading and wanted a local man from the party to contest the seat.

If both SNAP and STAR insist on contesting the Mas Gading seat, then the fight for the constituency is likely to see a four- or even five-cornered fight.