Compromise, PRS!
Malaysiakini
Nov 11, 2006
Tony Thien

The rival factions in crisis-ridden Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) must compromise or risk the party being de-registered.

This is said to be the gist of the message from the Barisan Nasional top leadership to leaders of the two factions, one led by the president and state Land Development Minister Dr James Masing and the other, his deputy Sng Chee Hua.

The Registrar of Societies (ROS) has given the party a show-cause letter for wilfully contravening the party constitution in the sacking of six principal office-bearers by the president in May this year without giving any notice.

Both factions have given their explanations within the stipulated 30-day period to argue against de-registration. The ROS has yet to respond to the arguments.

The ROS is giving both factions a chance to compromise and find a solution to resolve their dispute.

Dec 2 meeting: Legal or not?

The Masing faction has offered their forthcoming triennial delegates conference scheduled for Dec 2 in Sibu as a compromise by giving opportunities to all interested to take part in the elections.

But the Sng faction today issued a statement describing the Masing-organised party elections on Dec 2 as “illegal and against the party constitution" as he (Masing) had already been censured.

The question is will the two factions agree to sit down before the ROS and agree to some kind of compromise at the last hour in order to prevent the possible de-registration of the party.

A party source said, "We believe the meeting with the relevant authorities could be held after the Umno assembly next week either with representatives of the two factions present together or separately."

The Sng faction is expected to comprise Sng, lawyer and deputy information chief Ernest Chua and secretary-general Sidi Munan.

A spokesperson for the Masing side said if there is such a meeting, the Masing faction is likely to be represented by Masing or one of PRS vice-presidents Joseph Entulu, Masing-appointed secretary-general Wilfred Nissom or his deputy Henry Opang, and another vice-president Dublin Unting.