Last Saturday, I had lunch with someone from the SNAP corner somewhere in PJ.
He laid before me his reasons why I was wrong in the recent conclusions and public statements I had made of and concerning SNAP.
I gave him my reasons why I remained unconvinced by his attempts to persuade me to his point of view.
However, I conceded that I did not have cold, hard evidence that pointed irrefutably to treachery on the part of SNAP. All I had was strong circumstantial evidence that, for me, left me with the sense that all was not well in SNAP and that there were moves by certain quarters from within the party that would undermine efforts to bring about a regime change in Sarawak.
“Could I be wrong in my conclusions about SNAP?”, he asked.
I replied that I hoped SNAP would prove us all wrong, in which event I would gladly publicly apologise to all those that I had named in my ‘BN-ning SNAP…’ post.
Yesterday, FreeMalaysiaToday reported that PKR’s Baru Bian urged SNAP to withdraw in contests where both SNAP and PKR were contesting, to enable PKR to take BN head on in a one-on-one contest.
“I heard many of them are not making any headway. If this is the case, I advise them to withdraw and throw their support to Pakatan Rakyat candidates. After all our aim is to topple this government and bring change to Sarawak. The Barisan Nasional state government is our enemy and we should pool all our resources to defeat them”, Bian is reported to have said.
SNAP has responded to this call with a proposal that, in my view, places the burden on PKR to now walk its talk.
Malaysiakini reports that shortly after Bian’s appeal, SNAP advisor, Daniel Tajem responded to the same by proposing that both SNAP and PKR now sit down together, assess the strengths of their respective candidates in the overlapping seats, and pick the stronger for a straight contest with BN.
And, it would seem from the report, that this was previously proposed by Tajem at the very outset of the failed negotiations between the two parties.
“I welcome the suggestion by Bian that we don’t contest seats where we are in multi-cornered fights with the BN. But let him quickly get together with us and show in which seats Snap are lagging in candidate strength and party machinery effectiveness and we, on our part, will do likewise for areas in which we feel PKR are defective. Let us then sort this out very quickly and mutually agree to allow the one to make way for the other on application of the test that I first suggested as a method of settlement of our overlapping claims when talks on seat sharing were held between our two parties.” , Tajem is quoted as saying.
In a post on 4th April, I called upon Tajem to speak up.
Whilst Tajem has not said anything to put to rest the several concerns raised in that post, I think there is tremendous value in his proposal.
My sources in Sarawak inform me that DAP is doing well in the 15 seats that they will be contesting in, and that we can expect them to take more than 10 seats.
24 seats are needed to deny BN a 2/3 majority in the Sarawak state legislative assembly.
A compromise between PKR and SNAP, as proposed by Tajem, offers the best prospect of denying BN that 2/3 majority, taking into account the seats that DAP will capture.
I would suggest one modification to Tajem’s proposal, though, to make it workable.
Both parties agree to leave the final decision to an independent arbiter, if they cannot themselves come to a consensus as to the better of their respective candidates in the overlapping constituencies.
Baru, Tajem, time is fast running out.
If both of your respective parties truly share the common objective of ousting both Taib and BN through this state election, act now.
The People's Parliament 
bigjoe
April 11, 2011
Why Baru and Tajem can’t hammer things out is beyond, I think, most Malaysian including Sarawakians. But the truth is SNAP is filled with old members with dying dreams and ideas they can’t let go including Tajem. Some is even now proposing that SNAP still have dream that one of them can be CM or decide who. The truth is CM is decided by DAP and hence it must be Baru Bian. That there are those who think its possible for SNAP to make these decision againt demonstrate how unrealistic they are..
Tom
April 11, 2011
Harris, a guy who took 20K from the unholy trinity to stand on SNAP ticket but did not submit his nominations for the election said that the two days so called seminar at Pullman Hotel in Kuching was nothing about rebranding or working for the removal of BN. The whole two days was about talking bad about Pakatan Rakyat. They are asking for the 20k back from him and he wants them to take legal proceedings against him. So the question is what right thing is there to do? There isn’t any humble pie for you Harris to enjoy!
Jimmy K
April 11, 2011
I dont know man. These last few days are really critical IMO. This is the time when undecided voters may make up their mind. I suspect that if there are any more changes in the candidacy, and knowing how PKR members would normally react if things didn’t go their way (eg their candidacy being withdrawn), there might be mass resignation and defection, etc. This might be affect Pakatan’s image and the media is going to have a field day showing the public how unstable and unreliable the opposition is. But I could be wrong tho’…
kllee
April 11, 2011
I think PKR has learnt its lesson from their own experience in dealing of exUMNO fellas. They just cannot be trusted. I think it is better for PKR to go on it alone. If SNAP can win some seats (after making a pact with PKR), they’ll be the kingmaker and PR will have to kowtow to them. Furthermore, it is indeed hard for them to resist BN’s sweetener.
The Simple Man
April 11, 2011
Haris,
Even Din Merican commented on his blog posting that SNAP has got a lot of froggies! This is a tough nut la and once bitten twice shy kinda scenario!
What’s your take bro?
The Simple Man,
My take is obvious from my several postings here
temenggong
April 11, 2011
When Jeffrey Kitingan was not chosen as Sabah PKR head, it was a message to Sarawakians and PKR’s fate in Sarawak was sealed. They will simply not have peninsula people dictating to them.
kabang
April 11, 2011
is wrong to compare PKR Sarawak with PKR Sabah. In Sarawak, there is no UMNO so PKR Sarawak has no member who comes from UMNO. In Sabah, some of the PKR leaders are former UMNO leaders, therefore a conflict of interest may has occurred. It is impossible for everyone to be a leader of all the leaders.
gamma ray
April 11, 2011
HEY SARAWAKIAN!!!!
I HAVE ONLY ONE THING TO SAY. IF YOU WANT TO SEE CHANGES TAKING PLACE THAN VOTE FOR PAKATAN RAKYAT. IF YOU WANT TO GET SCREWED FURTHER THAN VOTE FOR “BANGSAT NASIONAL”
SHOW THE WORLD THE STRENGTH OF THE DAYAKS. THE WARRIORS CLASS WHO BEHEAD PEOPLE WITHOUT MERCY. DONT BE “DAYUS” LIKE SOME OF THE WEST MALAYSIAN MALAY CHINESE AND INDIANS.
PROVE YOUR WORTH…
adamckteh
April 11, 2011
Do not trust SNAP, that is my last word.
malaysianatheart
April 11, 2011
Oooo … wow! No way Jose! You must be joking! You want to trust these SNAP fellows? Trying to trust PKR candidates is hard enough – now you are asking the Sarawakians to do a deal with the devil??!! From what I have been told – the Pakatan chaps are doing very well indeed in many constituencies. SNAP will probably come out of this with 2 seats. And it is very likely that the Pakatan will form the next government there. Despite your conservative estimates about denying BN the 2/3 majority. Let the chips fall where they will. In the end – Sarawakians will get what they deserve. If they are too stubborn or dumb to keep voting for the wrong party – so be it!
NameLeong
April 11, 2011
other Malaysians all looking east for Sarawakians to show the way. foremost, if BN loses, everyone will get bonus over next 12 months, lots of development will appear and angpows aplenty for everyone in the hope of buying our votes.
so, for yourselves and for everyone us, Just Do It.
Thank you and may we all celebrate on Sunday together
jaz_Sarawak
April 11, 2011
The issue is about kataks….why don’t they agree that whoever wins that seat for either party, subsequently leap frog to BN…be shamed in public. I suppose public humiliation has a price tag as well
wee
April 11, 2011
Hi we all think that only the candidates from SNAP are Sarawakians and thus SNAP is a Sarawak party ? What about the rest the other PR candidates ? Aren’t they Sarawakians too ? REMEMBER SELANGOR !!! The CM post was dangled to entice some PR candidates to form the state govt with UMNO !! Luckily the national leadership of the party stood firm If not BYE BYE SELANGOR !! So will SNAP stand firm in PR if such enticement was dangled to form the state Govt with PBB ?
Ahli PAS
April 11, 2011
baru bian is a god fearing man.i support him anytime for CM
third eye
April 11, 2011
If both Bian & Baru are sincere in that they are fighting for the same objective to free Sarawak and her people from oppression and rape, then they should sit down and iron things out for a win-win situation.
If neither want to have a pow-wow, it shows that they value the petty stuff over the big picture of kicking BN out of Sarawak. United we stand, divided we fall still rings true in this age.
We pray the 2 can work things out and not squabble and lose their marbles!
Farhan
April 11, 2011
Just ignore them, for months before this election, all I heard coming from SNAP is bad mouthing PKR, never once anything opposition-like statement coming from them, PKR under Baru Bian worked hard doing groundwork at the grassroot level, which we all can see the results now, did SNAP did any groundwork? or did they just hoping on the brand alone to win elections?
And the main thing that make me absolutely lose my trust to them is that scans of newspaper article of edwin dundang interview in Sarawak report, unfortunalety down under persistent cyberattacks, he said to the journalist that it is up to “Taib Mahmud” when to resign followed praises to the “white hair”. Is this a BN component party or what?
Orangkampung
April 11, 2011
The question does SNAP said what it says. It should jiont force with PKR to flash TAIB to the sewege TANK It does matter who become CM. PRIDE are the routes to destroy oneself (unity)
nathan
April 11, 2011
Hi Bro. Haris I am in agreement with you,…but SNAP guys might just ‘Leap Frog’ and Join PBB, with offers of
Land and more!…after the elections. I also have a genuine Fear that some PKR guys too might ‘Leap Frog’ and
join PBB when the Opportunity Comes! A repeat of the Perak fiasco is very possible!
Yes I think Bian Baru is the ‘Right Man’ on the ground to decide who are Frogs in hiding!
nathan.
Malaysian Care
April 11, 2011
If there is 48 seats overlapping between PKR & SNAP, split them into 24 each and fight BN one to one. Both side of canditates all must put on video recording and in writing that they would not defect to BN if they win the seats. Make them to swear on bible or Koran that they will not defect to BN.
shakuntala
April 11, 2011
Never before has Sarawak been so much in the limelight as it is today, on the eve of its elections.
Never before have we in Semenanjong, learned,so much about the ugly and disgusting happenings in the state, as we do today.
Never before have we detested all this, so much, as we do today. Never before have we wished so hard for the downfall of Taib Mahmud, as we do today.
We wish with heart and soul for a new dawn for Sarawak and its good people.
Sarawakians, don’t miss the golden opportunity to usher in a new era for yourselves and your children, on the 16th of April.
Make your victory, a day to remember.
Please vote wisely, vote clever, SHOW your power and strength.
We, Malaysians, all look forward to a right view and a right action from you.
Anonymous
April 11, 2011
The people of Sarawak has the opportunity not just to change their fate but the fate of the entire nation. Should BN in Sarawak fall, West Malaysians will take heart to follow and rise up against BN.
Din
April 11, 2011
The truth is there must be a spirit of give and take between PKR and SNAP. the ultimate goal is to topple BN Govt. So anything else is secondary and above all sincerity is the magic that can unite the doubtful hearts. So move on PR.
Laila Yifan
April 11, 2011
It’s too late to do anything now. Even if it’s a 3-cornered fight, let it be to allow the smart voters to decide; to go for change or stick to the corrupt BN/PBB regime. My view is that most likely they are either voting for PKR or BN, but not SNAP.
ZhangHo
April 12, 2011
Haris,
I would rather trust your ealier decision on SNAP,[..which you gentlemanly hope to be proven wrong..].
Having followed your sharings for sometime now, your latest proposal is “practical” BUT may not be “reliable”.. for reasons as follows:
1.]”Time is short”, with Najib in the Driver’s seat… it is more important to “Pre-Empt”, formulate counter measures and take actions immediately… as the next challenging phase in the campaign trail is “Psychological Warfare Tactics” from selective “Public Announcements” to “confuse”, “diffuse” and neutralize the ground-swelling sentiments for the PR Coalition!
2.]Is the SNAP’s proposal part of BN’s [APCO planned]
last minute “Fall-Back Plan B” to “disturb” & “create” “confusion”, “mistrust” & “intra-opposition feuds” to make the Public get fed up with the “fickel-minded” behaviour of the opposition?
3.]There are “veterans” and “old-timers” in the SNAP leadership, rank & file…. who would not have the stamina nor the interest to go beyond this election.. and they would prefer “quick-gains” retirement plans.
4.]The deposits paid out, probably are ALL TAKEN of, and what is important is “RESULTS”…. If elected, they are Guaranteed to have “Buyers” [..from UMNO BN/Taib..]… If NOT elected, maybe a token sum for the trouble take to be part of the “Scheme”!
Therefore items 2.], 3.], 4.] are workable, with “remunerations” either way.
5.]The hastily assembled Candidates by SNAP may not involved genuine “politicians” nor “nationalists” who want to improve the Natives Lives & future… but perhaps there are more “mercenaries” who lend their “candidacy” services on a commercial basis than the Revival of the “Spirit & Soul” of the Kalong Ningkan Era Party Leaders & Members!
6.]There is MORE reasons for the PR Coalition to fight the UMNO Malays/BN/Taib in this Sarawak 10th State Election because of the Positive Implication [ if they succeed..]it will have on their Putrajaya “Mission”… and it is a “long haul JOB” which they are prepared & ready for.
As for SNAP, the Intra-Party Factional Leaders and there are no “Trainee” Young Dynamic Leaders in sight… so where to from here SNAP, if performance is DISMAL in the OUTING?
Your earlier reasons STILL “hold water” and you ARE MORE RIGHT tha WRONG in tyrusting your “INNER” feelings, Haris. UBAH!
As RPK said, the “TRUTH” will prevail after the 16th April, 2011!
There
apaijabu
April 12, 2011
Just take a look at the same old tired faces in Snap. These are guys who still dream of being the CM and YBs but have nothing to show in term of capability and charisma. Even Tajem is an old horse who should be put to pasture long time ago. They know it. That’s why they are now hogging themselves to the highest bidder. They don’t give a damn for the Dayaks whom they are supposed to represent.
Their dream is to make quick money and nothing else. I condemn them for their selfish attitudes. Waht a pity because they could’ve made so much difference to the election outcome.
Tom
April 12, 2011
Anthony Liman, throwing in the towel, in Krian told the people to vote for SPDP(BN) and not give the vote to PKR!
Lee Heng Chai
April 13, 2011
In fact time is short PKR SNAP and DAP should consolidate their campaigns on psychological warfare to brainwash the Sarawakians that the cash they got now are debts promised by BN thirty years ago. They’re interested in your resources to help UMNO. Independents are tadpoles.Look for greener pastures for your children and grandchildren.May the Cosmic Energy bring you consciousness to see through your “Third Eye”.
kiasu
April 14, 2011
hohoho, snap, pkr, pakatan……can’t even pakat among themselves, how would people expect them to form a reliable gomen.
mercy me, should these so-called un-pakat pakatan win the state election, first thing they would do are to start killing each other. In the end, they’d end up being split apart.
Jay
April 14, 2011
Why Pakatan need SNAP or SAPP or others party, forget them, for us, PKR-PAS-DAP is sufficient, don’t bring problem in Pakatan, forget SNAP, forget SAPP, forget KITA, just forget them!!!
Warga Negara
April 14, 2011
The names of candidates already printed on ballot paper, isn’t it already too late? So how much difference would withdrawing makes?
Warga Negara
April 14, 2011
Malaysian Care Says: “canditates all must put on video recording and in writing that they would not defect to BN”
I have already suggested there should be a very public declaration that candidates will not do a froggie and jump when elected so that in the event that they do, they can be very publically shamed. Why wasn’t that done?