The Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) faction led by acting president Sng Chee Hua has lodged an official complaint to the Registrar of Societies (ROS) against the unveiling of a new party symbol to the public by the rival faction head Dr James Masing in Miri last weekend.

In a letter signed by the party's secretary-general Sidi Munan and addressed to the state ROS director James Ho with copy to ROS headquarters in Kuala Lumpur, it said Masing had committed an offence by displaying to the public the new symbol which has not been approved by the ROS.

Under Section 50 of the Societies Act 1966 it is an offence to do that and anyone upon conviction is liable to a jail sentence not exceeding three months or to a fine not exceeding RM3,000.

If an elected representative is found guilty and convicted, and if the fine exceeds RM2,000 he or she will automatically be disqualified from holding any public office.

Sidi Munan told malaysiakini that the letter to the ROS was personally handed over to the state ROS director yesterday afternoon.

The Sng faction has strongly objected to the change, saying the Masing faction-organised triennial delegates conference in Sibu on Dec 2 had no authority or power to make any changes as it was an illegal gathering and that Masing's supreme council too could not decide on the matter as it was not a legitimate body.

The latest development is part of the on-going leadership dispute within PRS which has dragged on for more than a year.

Headquarters issue

Meanwhile, the Sng faction has also pressed the authorities to take immediate action to resolve the issue of the two party headquarters, since the ROS formally recognises the one and only registered headquarters at Green Heights Commercial Centre.

Malaysiakini understands that the ROS is expected to take action soon.

The Sng faction appears to have gained a morale booster with reports that the state assemblyperson for Pelagus Larry Sng, who is also a state assistant minister, has given his support for the faction led by his father.

With the support of his son and others, Sng is said to have regained a simple majority control (16 out of 31) of the supreme council members elected at PRS' inaugural meeting in 2005.

Meanwhile the Sng faction is going ahead to hold the party's first TDC on March 29-30 in Kuching to elect new office bearers. It said those aligned to the Masing faction will be invited to take part.