The formation of the Sarawak National Party (SNAP) in Sarawak on 10 April 1961, the third party to be formed after the Sarawak United People Party (SUPP) and Party Negara Sarawak (PANAS), open the way for Dayaks’ active participation not only in the effort to prepare Sarawak’s Independence, but also to be fully involved in political activities. Although there were Dayak in SUPP and PANAS, which were and are objectives repectively, the Dayaks’ interest in the two parties were secondary and their roles minimal.
Thus the Dayaks, particularly the Ibans felt that they might be left behind in the decision making of Sarawak that was desirous of becoming an independent country, if they did not have their own. So SNAP was born in Betong, Second Division, and it formation was greatly welcomed by the vast majority of the Ibans, who formed one-third of Sarawak’s population then. Among the founders were Sthephen Kalong Ningkan, who become its secretary-general, T.S. Tinker (Chairman), Edward Howell, Edwin Howell, Ivory Kedit, Mathew Dana Ujai, David Lawrence Usit, Nyipa Julin and Lionel Bediman Anak Ketit.
The first general assembly of the party was held on 29 April 1961 at Munggu Bangkit, Betong, where the party was born. It became the party headquarters. About 300 people throughout Sarawak attend the assembly. Soon after the assembly, Ningkan and Tinker went to the First, Fourth and Fifth Divisions canvassing for membership and at the same time forming branches and sub-branches. It took them three months before returning to Betong. Edward Jeli who joined the party later canvassed for membership in Miri while others concentrated in the Second Division.
After serious thoughts, SNAP accepted non-Dayaks as party members in 1963 with James Wong as the first Chinese to join as a member. Others who later joined the party included Wee Hood Teck, Wee Boon Ping and Ho Ah Chon. Abang Othman Bin Datuk Abang Haji Moasili was the first Malay to join the party. We Hood Teck and Wee Boon Ping became the main financers of the party. Their presence and that of other non-Dayaks made SNAP a multi-racial party, although the bulk of its members were Dayaks.
In August 1962, another party came into being in Sibu to cater for the Ibans of Batang Rajang. Its promoters refused to join SNAP, which they said, only catered for Ibans from Saribas. The party was known as Party Pesaka Anak Sarawak (PESAKA) and among the initiators were Penghulu Masam Anak Radin, Pengarah Banyang, Penghulu Chundi Anak Resa and Penghulu Umpau. Temenggong Jugah, Temenggong Oyong Lawai Jau and Jonathan Bangaujoined later. While Jugah and Oyong Lawai Jau wre incipiently members of PANAS, Bangau was from SUPP. Others Penghulus from other divisions such as Penghulu Tawi Sli (Second Division) and Penghulu Abok Anak Jalin (Bintulu) also joined PESAKA. PESAKA was, therefore, known as the Penghulus’ Party.
But the person who actually mooted the idea of forming PESAKA was Thomas Kana, a former dresser at Kuala Belait. He was made the first secretary-general of the party. Incidentally, Ningkan, a SNAP founding member, was also a dresser at Kuala Belait. During their days in Kuala Belait, Ningkan and Kana greatly disliked one another and often threw insults at one another. When they returned to Sarawak, Ningkan formed SNAP and Kana formed PESAKA and both started to sow the seeds of disunity among the Ibans of Sarawak principally between the Ibans of Batang Rajang and the Iban of Saribas. They refused to compromise as both wanted to become “big” in a party and in the government. As far-fetched as it may be, Dayak unity, as we know it today took roots in the major differences and personal animosity of these two men.
March 31, 2008 The Star
SNAP leaders in favour of dissolving party
KUCHING: The Sarawak National Party’s (SNAP) top leadership is supportive of a proposal to dissolve the 46-year-old Dayak-based party in a move to consolidate the state’s opposition political strength. Party president Edwin Dundang described the proposal as “a good idea.” “If it is good for the people and country, it is worth to consider,” he told The Star yesterday. Party secretary-general Stanley Jugol agreed that it was time to consider SNAP’s position – either to continue with its own political struggle or join a bigger group under the opposition alliance or Barisan Rakyat Sarawak.
SNAP has failed in its attempts to make a political comeback after opting out of the Barisan Nasional six years ago. In the recent parliamentary polls, all its three candidates were defeated. Dundang, who took over the party leadership from Datuk Amar James Wong Kim Min (a former deputy chief minister) in 2003, said there were suggestions that the party should consider various options, one of which was to dissolve or merge with other parties, to ensure sustainability in its political struggle.
SNAP has a glorious history as it produced Sarawak’s first chief minister, the late Tan Sri Stephen Kalong Ningkan, in the 1960’s. Its political influence was significantly weakened in two major political crises in 1993 and 2002. Dundang said SNAP’s next central executive committee meeting, the date of which has not been fixed, might discuss the party’s dissolution proposal. On news reports that several SNAP division leaders have applied to join Parti Keadilan Rakyat, Dundang said he was not aware of this.
