The Registrar of Societies (ROS) is believed to have given the crisis-stricken Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) a show-cause letter of why it should not be de-registered for violating its constitution.

Party leaders have also been given 30 days to respond to the letter.

A well-informed source told malaysiakini of the contents of the ROS letter addressed to party president Dr James Masing and delivered this afternoon after a 24-hour delay.

Copies of the letter were also addressed to deputy president and Masing's arch rival Sng Chee Hua, secretary-general Sidi Munan and treasurer-general Clement Eddy.

Sng went to the ROS office in Jalan Datuk Wan Alwi in Kuching at 2.30 pm to collect the letter on behalf of Sidi Munan who is busy with the arrangements for tomorrow's extraordinary delegates conference (EDC) in Damai, outside Kuching.

'Ask Masing'

When contacted, Sng refused to reveal the contents of the letter, saying any queries should be directed at Masing since the letter was addressed to him. However, he said, "I don't know what's going on now."

All he was prepared to say what that the party would have to sit down and discuss this latest development, adding that tomorrow's EDC would proceed as scheduled.

The letter for Masing was collected on his behalf by PRS information chief and political secretary to the chief minister Wilfred Nissom who told malaysiakini he had specific instructions not to open the sealed envelope until Masing's arrival from Sibu later today..

Sources said assuming the ROS' decision is a show-cause for de-registration, it is not the end for the party if its supreme council all agree to appeal. The authorities may allow the appeal on condition the two factions agree to resolve the matter by way of a triennial delegates conference to elect a new set of office-bearers.