Sarawak Land Development Minister Dr James Masing could find himself in serious trouble with the Registrar of Societies (ROS) for unveiling the new logo of Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) to the public over the weekend in Miri.

The party faction opposed to his leadership told malaysiakini today they would be lodging an official complaint to the ROS within the next day or two, saying Masing had clearly committed an offence under the Societies Act 1966 by displaying the logo as the ROS had not approved any new logo.

The party also had no intention to change the existing logo.

But at their own party elections on Dec 2, 2006 in Sibu, the Masing faction announced a change to the party logo. The new logo depicts an electron encircling a stalk of padi which symbolises science and technology, unity and oneness of purpose in line with the new era of development.

Masing explained that the warrior shield in the old logo reflected aggressiveness and was no longer appropriate for present times.

In a signed press statement, the party's deputy information chief and legal adviser Ernest Chua aligned to Masing's arch rival Sng Chee Hua, who leads the rival faction, said:

"Under the Societies Act 1966, Masing may face prosecution under Section 50 of the said Act and upon conviction he shall be liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months or to a fine not exceeding RM3,000."

No locus standi

Chua hoped the ROS would take immediate action against Masing, who he said has no locus standi to speak or act on behalf of the party since he had already been expelled from the party for allegedly acting against party interests.

He claimed that many PRS members were disappointed with the presence of several Sarawak United People's Party (Supp) leaders, including one federal minister and one state assistant minister, at the Masing faction's function over the weekend.

He said their presence had created the impression the Supp leaders were taking sides as it was already public knowledge there were internal problems in PRS.

Chua confirmed that the party would hold its first triennial delegates conference on March 29-30, 2007 in Kuching. He urged all PRS members from the 28 accredited divisions of the party to attend in full force either as delegates or observers.

Organising chairperson Audie Chua told malaysiakini that about 1,000 delegates and observers were expected at the TDC.