Crisis-stricken Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS), threatened with possible de-registration for contravening its constitution, has replied to the show-cause letter from the Registrar of Societies (ROS) as to why such action should not be taken against it.

"In the interest of the party and to prevent the possible de-registration of PRS, I have taken the liberty to reply to the Sept 7 show-cause letter from ROS on Tuesday, Sept 12," PRS acting president Sng Chee Hua said today.

He added that Dr James Masing, the censured president, should explain to members of the party "his misdeed and drastic action" in failing to comply with Article VIII Clause 15(b) of the party constitution in terminating the appointments of the six supreme council members as pointed out by the ROS in the show-cause letter to the party.

Sng appealed to party members to remain calm and wait for a reply from the ROS to his letter, urging the ROS not to de-register the party based on the fault of one man.

He said: "Two things are now very clear: that is the headquarters of PRS is at Lot 8723, Block 16, 2nd Floor, Green Heights, New Airport Road, Kuching, and the second thing is Masing is wrong is sacking the six supreme council members without giving them a 14-day show-cause letter."

Sng urged all elected representatives of the party to attend the next supreme council meeting which is being called to fix the date, time and place for the triennial delegates conference (TDC).

"Masing can offer himself as candidate for the president's post to test his popularity and grassroots support," he added.

Sng said that it was also the wish of the state and federal Barisan Nasional leaders to see both sides close ranks and work together as one united party to serve the rakyat and for the betterment of the BN as a whole.

Many options

Meanwhile, PRS vice-president Joseph Entulu, who is also Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, ruled out any compromise deal, saying the quarrels between the two factions had gone too far, and that the Masing faction was prepared for the worst.

In the worst case scenario of the party being de-registered, Entulu said there were many options available to them, including staying partyless, 'parking' themselves with or joining other parties, forming a new political party or retiring from politics.

He said Masing would also give a reply to the show-cause letter that would centre on Masing's action in removing the six SC members under Article IX of the constitution which he said does not require any notice to be given.

The ROS however has upheld that sacking the six is wrong with giving due notice as required under Article VIII, 15(b).

"The ROS has a different opinion from ours," Entulu said, emphasising that the reply from Masing was not for the specific purpose of preventing de-registration or to save the party as the next course of action would only be determined by the ROS after receiving Masing's reply.