Crisis-stricken Parti Rakyat Sarawak suffered another blow today with the sacking of three more party leaders aligned to deputy president Sng Chee Hua.

The three members - Thomas Tomi ak Bure, Peter Ato ak Mayau and Dalang ak Untol - were informed of their sacking via fax and letters today.

Thus, nine party supreme council members have been sacked by party president Dr James Masing in what observers said is a desperate attempt to undermine the influence of his estranged deputy.

Yesterday , six supreme council members, including party secretary-general Sidi Munan and treasurer-general Clement Eddy were informed in writing by Masing that the party president has the right to appoint and sack members based on the party constitution.

Others include deputy secretary-general and state assistant minister Larry Sng, information chief Wilfred Nissom and his deputy Ernest Chua as well as deputy treasurer-general Sng Chee Beng.

During a press conference at the party's registered headquarters in Green Heights, Kuching, Munan and Chua alleged that Masing's actions were unconstitutional.

They claim that Larry, Chee Beng and Eddy all took a similar stand.

New team

Nissom, a known ally of Masing, is believed to be appointed the new secretary-general soon.

Other members of Masing's new team is believed to include Henry Opang as deputy secretary-general, Larry Sng as information chief, Tedwing Ngumbang as deputy information chief, Liwan Lagang as treasurer-general and Snowdan Lawan as deputy treasurer-general.

Other than Larry and Snowdan, the new supreme council members are known allies of Masing, thus denying the deputy president control of the 33-member council.

Munan and Chua however are adamant in challenging Masing's decision and will first try to seek a resolution through the supreme council, failing which they would seek intervention from the Registrar of Societies (ROS).

Dj Vu

Observers noted that the latest development resembled the Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak (PBDS) crisis when rival groups argued over the party's constitution prior to the de-registration of the party.

(Remnants of PBDS eventually spilt to form PRS and Malaysian Dayak Congress which, however, has yet to be registered).

According to Nissom, Masing would meet his supporters at their own party headquarters in Pending tomorrow to brief them on the latest developments.

When contacted, Masing's arch nemesis Chee Hua declined to comment.

Munan added that he had sent out notices two days ago to call for the party's supreme council meeting on June 14.

"We do not recognise the letters of termination as valid, we will all be there," he said, adding the meeting will include a post-mortem of the just-concluded state election.

He said that the meeting would also discuss claims of "back-stabbing" during the elections.

"We're compiling all the reports and evidence to be presented during the meeting," Munan told malaysiakini.

Two headquarters

Previously, Chee Hua had accused the party president of giving tacit support to independent candidate Jeffrey Nuing against the incumbent, Larry Sng, in Pelagus.

Munan also told reporters the issue of the party having two headquarters has been resolved with the ROS in a letter dated May 24, 2006 informing the party of approval to change the party's official address to the Green Heights office.

This will mean any party meeting not held at the registered address is illegal, said Munan.