Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) president Dr James Masing has been told to relinquish his post with immediate effect for allegedly acting against the party's interests.

At a 90-minute today, the supreme council unanimously passed a censure motion against Masing, who did not attend.

Among those present were deputy president and one-time ally Sng Chee Hua, vice-president Jimmy Donald and secretary-general Sidi Munan.

Sng chaired the meeting at the party headquarters in Kuching. He also called on Masing not to act on behalf of the party any longer.

The 9am meeting had been delayed by 30 minutes to wait for additional members to show up, as only 14 had arrived by then - below the required minimum of 17. At 9.30am, based on the rules, those present were taken as constituting a quorum.

Sng told reporters later that several members, including his son and deputy secretary-general Larry, were absent with apologies.

Speaking for the group, deputy information chief Ernest Chua said the censure motion was necessary as Masing had placed the party in danger of being de-registered.

On May 25, Masing had sacked six office-bearers and three appointed supreme council members and replaced them with his own men. Those not reappointed have challenged the decision as null and void and ultra vires the constitution.

Four supreme council members - Sidi, Larry, Chua and deputy treasurer-general Sng Chee Ben - had lodged a complaint with the Registrar of Societies (ROS) immediately after the dismissals.

"We now understand that, unless the problem is resolved, the ROS is going to send a show-cause letter to PRS which could lead to its de-registration. We acted today to save the party," Chua claimed.

He further said the supreme council has decided to hold an extraordinary delegates' conference (EDC) within 60 days to elect a new president. Sng takes over as acting president.

"Notice will be sent out to all party divisions giving them 60 days' notice to send delegates to the EDC," Chua said.

Actions 'unconstitutional'

The Sng-led supreme council also issued a press statement to explain their position.

It maintained that today's meeting was lawfully and constitutionally called pursuant to a written request by 12 supreme council members to Sidi, under article V111 Clause 17(a) of the constitution.

"It is, therefore, wrong of Masing to say that he is the only person who can call for a supreme council meeting," read the statement signed by Chua.

It said the notice of the meeting was dated May 25 and that it was faxed to all 32 supreme council members the same day. The six office-bearers sacked by Masing only received their termination letters about 4.20 pm that day.

"This means the termination of Sidi and the other five came after the president had received the notice of meeting. Hence, what the president did was unconstitutional as he had used the wrong provision of the constitution to sack the six without giving them a right to be heard as provided under article V111 Clause 15(b) of the constitution.

"It is unfortunate that a president of James Masing's experience and long standing in politics had come to a hasty decision, not only in sacking the six without assigning any reason but also in calling for a meeting of the supreme council on Sunday (June 11).

"We maintain that the supreme council meeting called by the president was unconstitutional because the notice was signed by Wilfred Nissom who has no locus standi to sign as the secretary-general. For all intents and purposes, (he was) at all material times the information chief."

Probing allegations

The statement also disclosed that the disciplinary committee, headed by the deputy president, had received many complaints about top party leaders and members who had campaigned against Barisan Nasional candidates during the just-concluded state elections.

"We are investigating these allegations and will not hesitate to take disciplinary action against the said leaders and members if the allegations prove to be true, no matter what standing they have in the party," the statement said.

It reiterated that the party headquarters in Green Heights is the official address, as recognised in a letter from the ROS on May 24. (A rival office is located in Pending.)

"We have also requested the ROS to ask Masing to take down the PRS signboard at Pending in order not to confuse our members and the public at large," it said.

The statement maintained that whatever was discussed and done at the so-called PRS supreme council meeting on June 11 was null and void and ultra vires the party constitution.