KUCHING: Show-cause letters were said to have already been served against two Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) branches for violation of the party’s constitution in the run-up to its triennial delegates’ conference (TDC) in December 2011.
The Borneo Post was told that the branches served with the letters in accordance with Section 13 (1) of the Societies Act 1966 were Piasau and Bekenu, both under Miri parliamentary constituency.
Registrar of Societies (ROS) director-general Datuk Abdul Rahman Othman, however, could not be reached for confirmation.
SUPP Piasau secretary Karambir Singh when contacted yesterday said so far they had not seen anything to that effect from ROS.
According to a source close to the ROS, the letters could be still on the way since they were only served to the party branches concerned sometime this week.
He stated that show-cause letters which must be replied to within 30 days would be asking the office bearers to explain why their branches should not be deregistered.
“I was told that the action under Section 13 (1) of the Societies Act 1966 against the two branches was meted sometime this week except that I have no idea whether the letters have already reached the branches or not,” the well-placed source said.
He also said that to the best of his knowledge, only two show-cause letters had been served against SUPP branches so far for violation of the constitution although there were numerous other complaints made against the party, including the main body before and after the 2011 TDC.
“At this point of time I am not sure whether the main body will also be facing similar action from ROS. But I believe personally that the show-cause letters served against Piasau and Bekenu are just the beginning.
“I am very sure the irregularities committed by the two branches must have direct impact on the outcome of the 2011 TDC and such be the case the election results during the TDC will automatically be all null and void,” opined the source.
He said this was mainly because Bekenu branch, one of those served with the show-cause letters, was headed by Tan Sri Peter Chin Fah Kui, who was made president during the disputed party election.
Piasau branch is headed by Datuk Sebastian Ting who contested in Miri in the recent general election but lost to PKR candidate Dr Michael Teo.