Kuala Lumpur, Aug 13 - Malaysia's Registrar of Societies (ROS) has decided that M. Kayveas is the People's Progressive Party (PPP) president, rejecting the claim of a rival, T. Murugiah.

Giving a ruling to settle a long-pending internal dispute in one of the major parties, the ROS said Murugiah's appointment as party president through a May 24 emergency general meeting was invalid.

Murugiah's sacking by Kayveas was in line with provisions of the party constitution and was thus valid, The Star newspaper said Thursday.

Home Minister Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said Kayveas and Murugiah had both accepted the decision.

'What I would like is for them (Kayveas and Murugiah) to find a solution that ensures the party and its people do not suffer,' Hussein said.