Supporters of the feuding factions in Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) - a component of the state Barisan Nasional (BN) - are anxiously awaiting the outcome of their separate supreme council (SC) meetings scheduled within the next 10 days.

The June 14 SC meeting called by the faction led by deputy president Sng Chee Hua will take place at the party's registered office in the Green Heights Commercial Centre near the Kuching International Airport.

Notice of the meeting together with the agenda was sent out on May 25 by Sidi Munan, the secretary-general aligned to Sng.

It was sent to all 33 SC members, including the principal office-bearers (secretary-general/deputy secretary-general/treasurer-general/ deputy treasurer-general/ information chief/deputy information chief)

The other SC meeting called by the rival faction led by party president and state minister Dr James Masing will be held three days earlier on June 11 at their own party headquarters in Jalan Pending.

Notice of this meeting has also been sent out to all elected SC members as well as the new members appointed by the president, including the re-appointment of two original office-bearers.

In addition, Masing has also brought in the party's two newly-elected state assemblypersons Snowdan Lawan (Balai Ringin) and Liwan Lagang (Belaga).

It's not illegal

Masing's newly appointed secretary-general Wilfred Nissom was today quoted in local papers as saying that the president and several other party members would definitely not attend the June 14 meeting 'as it is illegal'.

Commenting on this, Sidi told malaysiakini that there is nothing illegal about the SC meeting, which he called.

"I have followed the provisions of the party constitution (in calling for the meeting)," he said, adding that there are several ways for such a meeting to be called.

These include in the case of an emergency meeting for which a shorter notice, instead of the minimum 14 day requirement, can be issued.

Apart from this, at least one-third of the SC members can request the secretary-general to call for a SC meeting.

As for the June 14 meet, Sidi said he complied with two things - fulfilled the request of no less than one-third of SC members calling for the meeting and gave at least two weeks notice.

"Therefore, I cannot see how the June 14 SC meeting can be described as illegal," he added.

Sidi said he sent out the notice for the meeting, first by fax and then via letters. It was apparently after receiving the notice that Masing decided to terminate the services of the appointed members and replace them with his own supporters.

It is not clear what the Masing faction's SC meeting would decide in relation to their next course of action.

We're ready

But as far as the Sng faction is concerned, a definite item for discussion under 'Any Other Business' is the holding of the party's first triennial delegates conference (TDC), possibly as early as August.

According to Sidi, PRS has more than 50 divisions throughout Sarawak. They would have to hold their own meetings to choose delegates for the TDC, which among other things, would elect new leaders.

Whoever controls the majority of the divisions will be victorious and it is believed that at present the Sng faction has the upper hand.

If Masing does not control the majority of divisions, does this mean he will suffer a defeat at the hands of his deputy?

Sng told malaysiakini that Masing will not accept losing easily. "He will want to win at all cost. But we are ready."