An official in Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) has hit out at Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP) for doubting 'censured' president Dr James Masing's authority to pursue a proposed merger between the two parties.

In a press statement, PRS deputy information chief Tedewin Ngumbang Datu Tedewin said SPDP president William Mawan's recent statement had clearly questioned Masing's position as president.

"This is by no means a friendly dig at one's cabinet colleague and it smells strongly of uncalled for interference in the internal affairs of another Barisan Nasional (BN) component party," said Tedewin, who is in the faction aligned to Masing.

He said Masing had already announced that the merger talks were being put on hold because he wanted to put his house in order first.

"I am sure there are people in both SPDP and PRS who do not assume, as Mawan does, that a merger with SPDP is the only option open to PRS," said Tedewin.

Should the worst happen, he pointed out, PRS' elected representatives could choose to remain party-less or even apply to join other BN component parties.

In a dilemma

He also described Mawan's stance as inconsistent with that of his deputy Peter Nyarok who had claimed to be "very comfortable with continuing the merger talks now that Masing is leading the merger committee".

However, PRS currently has two merger talk committees - one headed by Masing and the other by his rival Sng Chee Hua, who is acting PRS president following a supreme council move to 'censure' Masing and direct him to step down from his post.

Both factions do not recognise each other, leaving SPDP in a dilemma as to who is in charge and therefore deciding to put off the talks for now.

The PRS leadership dispute followed the sacking of Sng's supporters who are principal office-bearers and their replacement by Masing's supporters. Both factions have lodged complaints with the state Registrar of Societies.

Sarawak Chief Minister and state BN leader Abdul Taib Mahmud is known to be keen on the merger.