Former SNAP members apply to join DAP Sri Aman/ January 23, 2013, Wednesday Borneo Post

KUCHING: DAP Sri Aman received a morale boost for the coming general election following the admission of former members of the now defunct SNAP into the party.

They submitted their applications to DAP Sri Aman chairman Leon Jimat Donald at a simple ceremony at DAP operation centre at Ran, Bukit Begunan yesterday.

Leon said the former SNAP members from Simanggang, Bukit Begunan and Balai Ringin included three Tuai Rumahs (longhouse chiefs).

“SNAP members are now joining DAP Sri Aman in droves. The three Tuai Rumahs said they are bringing at least 100 over voters as new applicants for DAP membership.

“According to them, they have done deep soul searching and they feel that DAP is the best party for them to join, as DAP has been very consistent in its policies and stance, and always ever ready to fight for a truly Malaysian Malaysia,” said Leon who is widely tipped as DAP candidate for Sri Aman parliamentary seat.

He also mentioned these former SNAP members have been very impressed with the effectiveness and work of the DAP leadership in Sri Aman for pointing out the shortcomings, mismanagement that are commonplace in Sri Aman.

After yesterday’s membership application ceremony, Leon said he also presented free radio sets to the applicants to enable them to listen to Radio Free Sarawak (RFS) broadcast.

SNAP, one of the state’s oldest parties, is now officially deregistered after the Federal Court on Thursday upheld the Registrar of Societies (ROS) decision in 2002 to cancel SNAP’s registration after the party failed to comply with a notice requiring it to produce evidence that its leadership crisis had been settled.

Meanwhile, PKR Sarawak vice-chairman See Chee How said former SNAP grassroots members and leaders are welcomed to continue their struggle in PKR or any other component parties in Pakatan Rakyat.

“I’m sure they would find Pakatan Rakyat a very good platform for them.” he said.

Ensuring unity within Pakatan Rakyat, he said PKR remained positive over the condition of DAP Sarawak chairman Wong Ho Leng who was continuing his brain tumour treatment in Singapore.

“We are all very concerned. He (Wong) has been updating on his condition. We are very certain he has no problems with his treatment and he will be physically strong and healthy,” said See.

Wong, also Sibu MP, is expected to lead DAP Sarawak’s offensive in the coming 13th general election.