Don’t downplay RoS’s role with malicious accusations, Azmin tells PN leadership

 The Bersatu leader says the registrar had repeatedly issued written reminders for the coalition to conduct its activities in line with the law and its constitution.

Bersatu secretary-general Azmin Ali said PN’s suspension followed a written complaint lodged by the party on Aug 11 regarding violations of the coalition’s constitution by its new leadership.

PETALING JAYA:

Perikatan Nasional’s top leadership must not downplay the Registrar of Societies’ role with “malicious and baseless” accusations to cover up its failures, says Bersatu secretary-general Azmin Ali.

Azmin said the registrar had repeatedly issued written reminders for PN to conduct its activities in line with the Societies Act 1966 and the coalition’s constitution.

“Bersatu will always carry out its responsibility to safeguard the PN constitution and ensure it operates transparently, with integrity and in accordance with the principles of accountability,” he said in a statement today.

Yesterday, PN secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan suggested that political pressure from parties within and outside PN may be behind the RoS’s action against the coalition.

Gerakan also said the suspension was “surprising and deeply disappointing”, especially as PN was looking to prepare for the Melaka polls, and called it “inconsistent with the spirit of democracy we should uphold”.

However, Azmin reiterated that the RoS’s suspension of PN followed a written complaint lodged by Bersatu on Aug 11 regarding violations of the coalition’s constitution by its new leadership.

“Among others, it stated that Bersatu was not included in the PN Supreme Council meeting on July 16, and mentioned issues concerning Bersatu’s membership in the coalition.

“The denial of Bersatu’s right to attend, express its views, and vote in Supreme Council meetings constituted an offence and a violation of Clause 7.1 of the PN constitution,” he said.

He said the complaint also touched on statements frequently issued by individuals who were not part of the PN Supreme Council that could have been construed as threats and pressure to remove Bersatu as a PN member party.

“This practice was contrary to the powers granted to the PN presidential council under Clause 7A.1(c) of the PN constitution,” he said.

Azmin said he had personally explained the basis of Bersatu’s complaint lodged with the RoS at the registrar’s headquarters on Aug 18. - FMT