Dr James Masing thinks that the present Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) symbol depicts an aggressive stance, and showing the Dayak community to be a quarrelsome lot.

He wanted it changed and his faction had approved a new one at its delegates conference held on Dec 2 last year in Sibu. The new symbol will be launched at a state-wide dinner gathering organised by his group next Saturday (Jan 13) in Miri, as the party president had announced.

Interestingly, as the new logo has not been approved by the Registrar of Societies, the Masing camp probably only wants to show its proposed symbol to their supporters. An observer felt that it would not be appropriate to launch something which has not been officially approved.

"Masing probably just wants his supporters to endorse the new design at the gathering and to explain to them why it has been changed," he said.

Whether officially registered or not, the opposing group led by PRS deputy president Sng Chee Hua expectedly opposed the attempt to replace the party symbol.

Secretary-general Sidi Munan, a Sng ally, said today the re-design of the party symbol showing the pen crossing the warrior shield by the Masing faction was for a new party.

"As far as the party constitution is concerned, to draw a new logo is equivalent to amending the constitution itself. At the so-called TDC in Sibu, that gathering did not have the power and authority to do so," he said.

No logic or sense

Sidi added that the Sibu meeting was only "to endorse Masing's wilful violation of Article 8 (15b) of the party constitution."

"What is wrong with the present symbol? It has the following significance, in that Article 1 (3) explains that the warrior shield is for self-defence and protection. The pen is a tool used to gain livelihood and education. The padi stalk symbolises the struggles of members and spirit of the party which is multi-racial."

Sidi said if all these symbols were considered, he disagreed with Masing that they project a very aggressive stance.

"But they (Masing faction) use this as an excuse to change the logo and we cannot understand the logic and sense in doing so.

"If they want to form a new party, who am I to object. But to tamper with the existing PRS logo was improper, because it was approved by the ROS and the ROS would not have approved it if it symbolises aggression and perhaps, sedition.

"We will object strongly to the re-drawing of the symbol and the party headquarters will object to the registration of the new symbol by the Masing faction," Sidi added.