The Sarawak National Party (Snap) today succeeded in getting the Court of Appeal to set aside its de-registration by the Registrar of Societies (ROS), eight years ago.

The court also ordered ROS to pay RM10,000 costs.

Justices Zainun Ali, Ramly Ali and Zaharah Ibrahim unanimosly allowed the appeal brought by Snap's then deputy president Justine Jinggut against a High Court dismissal of his bid to quash the ROS decision.

The ROS de-registered Snap on Nov 5, 2002, following the party's failure to resolve its protracted leadership crisis since April that year, and was dissatisfied with the office-bearers constituted because of the internal dispute.

Jinggut then filed a judicial review of the ROS ruling but that was dismissed by the High Court on Sept 15, 2006.

He, however, obtained a stay of the decision, pending the disposal of his appeal to the Court of Appeal.

The party leadership was split by its former president James Wong Kim Min heading one faction, and the late Peter Tinggom, the party's former deputy president who subsequently formed a new political party called the Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP).

Set up in 1961, Snap was once a BN component in Sarawak.

Strengthen alliance with Pakatan

In an immediate reaction, party president Edwin Dundang said the ruling, though unexpected, to allow Snap to continue operating as a political party, especially as an alliance of the Pakatan Rakyat in Sarawak.

"It (ruling) is a big surprise. I am very happy and consider this as a belated Gawai gift to members of a Dayak-based party as we are back on track again," he said when contacted by Bernama.

On Nov 5, 2002, the ROS de-registered Snap, which was established in 1961, following the party's failure to resolve its protracted leadership crisis since April that year. 

Dundang, who took over the helm of the embattled party, eight years ago when it was at its lowest ebb, said he was not blaming anyone for its past misfortune.

He said that currently, the opposition party was considering to contest at least 10 seats in the coming state polls which must be held by July next year.

In the 2006 state election, Snap won one seat in Engkilili but its

representative, Dr Jonical Rayong Ngipa, later declared himself an independent and BN-friendly assemblyman.

- Bernama