The Registrar of Societies (ROS) has finally resolved the 'two headquarters' issue in the crisis-ridden Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS).

In a letter dated Feb 6 to party secretary-general Sidi Munan, ROS Md Alias Kalil said his office only recognises the headquarters in Green Heights near the Kuching International Airport.

The ROS also revealed that the local council has been asked to dismantle the signboard put up at the other party headquarters on the other side of the city.

The other headquarters in Jalan Pending was set up last year by the faction led by party president Dr James Masing.

Masing, who is also state land development minister, is embroiled in a protracted leadership struggle with his deputy Sng Chee Hua, who leads the rival faction and maintains the Green Heights address as the party headquarters.

Remove signboard

In a signed statement, Sidi, who is aligned to the Sng group, said today the ROS also reminded him of Section 11(1)(a) of the Societies Act 1966 which requires the prior approval of the ROS for any change of business place.

The Act says if a registered society fails to comply with this section, the society and every office-bearer shall be guilty of an offence against this Act and be liable for a fine not exceeding RM3,000 on conviction.

In view of this, Sidi appealed to "whoever authorised the erection of the signboard at Pending to remove it without delay."

Otherwise, he added, the party and every office-bearer shall be guilty of an offence "although only one or two of the office-bearers were responsible for breaching the law."

Sidi said the ROS also informed him via the same letter that the Kuching City South Council would be requested to co-operate in taking down the signboard from the building in Pending.

"I urge those members responsible for putting up the signboard to fully co-operate with the council," he added.

Masing and his faction leaders were not available for comment.