HRP’s hat-trick attempt at registration

The political offshoot of Hindraf has filed its third application for a judicial review with regard to its registration as a political party.

KUALA LUMPUR: Human Rights Party (HRP) has filed its third application for a judicial review of the home minister’s decision to reject its application to be a registered entity.

It’s pro-tem secretary-general P Uthayakumar filed the application for a judicial review at the Kuala Lumpur High Court this morning seeking a certiorari order to quash the minister’s decision.

In a press statement, Hindraf information chief S Jayathas said HRP, which is Hindraf’s political offshoot, had applied for registration in 2000 through its predecessor Party Reformasi Insan Malaysia (PRIM).

“Why only Hindraf and HRP are singled out when there are 46,871 NGOs and 31 political parties registered with the Registrar of Societies (ROS)?” he asked.

He claimed that HRP was the only political party in Malaysia to be denied registration. “Why does the Barisan Nasional-led federal government fear Hindraf and HRP?” he asked.

According to him, HRP had filed its first application for a judicial review with the high court on April 6 last year.

“The judge Rohana Yusof on May 6 ordered the ROS to reply to HRP’s formal application (to be registered) dated Nov 25, 2009 and denied HRP a mandamus order to be registered as a political party. HRP’s application was dismissed with RM5,000 cost,” he said.

The second high court application, which was also rejected, was filed on Oct 11 last year.

He added that HRP’s applications were always rejected on the ground that it was not in order, without specifying what was not in order.

Jayathas said that the registration was important since the general election was around the corner.

It is reported that HRP is eyeing three parliamentary and four state assembly seats in Selangor.