ROS backs off from PKR de-registration threat

Ahead of a June 8 court hearing date, the Registrar of Societies has backed off from its threat to de-register PKR after the party filed an application to the High Court to strike off a show-cause letter issued last month.

"ROS should never have issued such a notice in the first place. But in any case, the party replied and gave ROS 7 days to respond. They failed to do so and only when we filed a case in court, they responded," PKR legal bureau director Latheefa Koya told Malaysia Chronicle.

In a terse 2-paragraph letter, the ROS said it was satisfied with the explanation given by the PKR, which is led by Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim.

PKR secretary-general Saifuddin has confirmed receiving the letter and welcomed the ROS decision.

"In view that the ROS has withdrawn its plan to de-register us, we will stop the legal action against them," Saifuddin said in a statement.

Public outcry

Last month, the ROS shocked PKR with a show-cause letter asking the party to state "satisfactory reasons" why it should not be de-registered for violating Article 32.2.1 of the party's constitution.

In its letter, ROS claimed PKR had intentionally violated its constitution by sacking Rajagopal Andaikkalam on April 1 and April 27 in 2009, without the matter being brought up or investigated by the party's discplinary board.

Signed by registrar Abdul Rahman Othman, the letter further contended that PKR had unlawfully sacked Rajagopal without giving him the right of reply. Abdul Rahman said he was exercising his powers under Section 13 sub-section (2) of the Societies Act 1966 to issue the notice of deregistration, which will take effect unless the party puts up a satisfactory defence in writing before June 9.

In its reply, PKR made it clear that there was no such clause as "Article 32.2.1" in its constitution and no such member by the name of Rajagopal Andaikkalam.

Even so, Pakatan Rakyat leaders were worried that the ROS might hammer through its threat to prevent PKR from contesting in snap general elections that are widely expected to be called within months.

Indeed, Prime Minister Najib Razak has signalled he intends to retain power through all ways and means, sparking fears that de-registering PKR would be his last resort.

However, the swift response from PKR and its revelation of the ROS move shocked the nation and triggered public outrage. The court had fixed Wednesday to hear the case. - Malaysia Chronicle