So SNAP was born in Betong, Second Division, and its formation was greatly welcomed by the vast majority of the Ibans, who formed one-third of Sarawak's population then.

Among the founders were Stephen Kalong Ningkan, who become its secretary-general, Jonathan Samuel Tinker (Chairman), Edward Howell, Edwin Howell, Ivory Kedit, Mathew Dana Ujai, David Lawrence Usit, Nyipa Julin and Lionel Bediman Anak Ketit.

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.

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.

Dunstan wanted Daniel Tajem to succeed him as the deputy chief minister while James Wong to become the president of the party.

During SNAP party election in December 1981, James Wong challenged Leo Moggie for the president post.

James Wong successfully defeated Moggie in the party president's race by a narrow majority of 15 votes.

James Wong tried to calm down the party by offering vice-president posts to Leo Moggie and Daniel Tajem.

James Wong tried to exclude Leo Moggie's supporters (Edmund Langgu, Edwin Tangkun, and Jonathan Narwin) in contesting for the parliamentary election.

Chief minister Abdul Taib Mahmud decided to honour the list of candidates submitted by James Wong.

However, Sarawak ruling coalition Barisan Nasional (BN) led by Taib, lost 5 parliamentary seats to the opposition.

PBDS immediately applied to join Taib's Barisan Nasional (BN) despite strong opposition by SNAP.

PBDS was subsequently admitted into BN by Abdul Taib Mahmud despite strong opposition by Balang Seling, the secretary-general of SNAP.

The decision to admit PBDS into BN was also welcomed by Mahathir Mohamad, the prime minister of Malaysia at that time.

The formation of PBDS party further fragmented the voice of Dayak community in the Sarawak state government.

[1][2] However, just before the April 2011 Sarawak state election, SNAP withdrew from PR, citing seat allocation disagreements with People's Justice Party (PKR).