Crisis-ridden Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) has been given one final chance by the ROS to resolve its internal problems, according to rumours circulating within political circles in Kuching this week.

The registrar will decide on the party's future after its deadline is made known to the two factions in the party.

Sources said that the ROS deadline is 'closing in' as the PRS quarrels have dragged on for more than a year.

Each side is likely to be asked to send representatives to a meeting to tell the authorities whether they are prepared to sit down and discuss their problems and resolve their differences, added the sources.

Yesterday, it was rumoured that the ROS had sent a letter to the party informing it of its de-registration.

When contacted however, officials from both sides denied having received any letter from the ROS.

Decision will make things worse

"Yes, we heard of the rumours (about the de-registration on Aug 16) but as far as I am know there is no such letter," Tedewin Ngumbang, a supreme council member aligned to faction leader Dr James Masing's faction, told Malaysiakini today.

Tedewin said he did not believe a decision would be made at this stage by the ROS with the impending parliamentary elections as any decision favouring one faction would split the party anyway.

"It should have made the decision a long time ago, and not now," he added.

Audie Chua, the deputy secretary-general aligned to the other faction leader Larry Sng, also confirmed he had heard of the rumours but that no such letter had been received by the party.

Meanwhile, malaysiakini learnt that government officials connected with preparations for the elections have received a directive freezing all leave.

Sarawak Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud said recently the elections would be held after Hari Raya and speculation is rife that the dates will be either mid or late November 2007.