In uncovering the tactic, the Member of Parliament revealed a 2004 poster calendar by SNAP that actually meant to promote its Kidurong Division chairman, Dr Lau Hieng Kii, and carrying a message in Iban that meant "Let SNAP be the bridge to the Barisan Nasional."

"This is (an) unacceptable (tactic) as it is very clear that SNAP is no longer in the Barisan Nasional fold and our rural dwellers would not easily fall to such a tactic," he added.

The revelation came within hours after the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi announced in Kuching that SNAP is no longer in the Barisan Nasional coalition.
 
Tiong showed the poster calendar during a gathering jointly-organised by the Information Department and the Domestic Trade and Consumers Affairs Ministry at Rh Randang, about 75 kilometres on Friday evening.

In addition to the misleading message, he also noticed that in the attempt to promote Dr Lau, the poster did not carry the latter's contact information but placed the handphone number of SNAP Jepak chairman, William Serai, while the address was that of the party's Central Executive Committee member, Ting Ling Kiaw.

"Before becoming (an election) candidate, the person appear to declare that he could not be contacted whereas to become one, he supposed to be easily contacted," remarked Tiong, who also took a potshot at Ting for orchestrating the attempt.

He warned Ting not to abuse the Barisan Nasional symbol in his attempt to regain political mileage, although the latter had proven to have failed each time when he had been given the opportunity previously.

Tiong recalled that Ling Kiaw once was given the opportunity to serve the people by becoming a Member of Parliament, before being appointed by the Barisan Nasional Government to become a parliamentary secretary but resigned six months later.

"Having being a Member of Parliament and then as a Parliamentary Secretary are such a good opportunity to serve the people but yet he (Ling Kiaw) turned his back and abandoned the responsibility entrusted on him," he added.

Commenting that such a camouflaging tactic to win votes had never been a Barisan Nasional tactic, he said the coalition had always advocates transparency and sincerity to serve and safeguarding the wellbeing of the rakyat.

In acknowledging the existence of challenges from SNAP as well as the Democratic Action Party (DAP) in Bintulu, Tiong had rested on the wisdom of the people to decide on their directions for now and the future.

"I only hope that the people would give their undivided support to the Barisan Nasional, regardless that either I will be (nominated as) the candidate (for the coalition) or somebody else.

Amidst all the challenges, I am not scared to lose but I am more concerned on ensuring that our people in Bintulu would not be cheated by irresponsible politicians," he added.

At the function, he also announced the implementation of rural piped water and electricity supplies projects from Batu Niah to Rh Mamat near the Suai bridge following earlier approval of allocation amounting to RM13 million from the Rural Development Ministry.

He added that an allocation of RM7 million had also been proposed for the rural road projects in the area under the Ninth Malaysia Plan.

ends with one photograph:

1. Tiong receives a memento jointly handed over by Ahmad and Ng (right and second right) while being witnessed by Randang

2. Tiong (centre) attending to a longhouse dweller together with Ng (right)