Tuan Ibrahim says PN never 'expelled' Bersatu, seeks details of party's complaints from ROS

 

Perikatan Nasional deputy chairperson Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man insisted that Bersatu had not been expelled from the coalition, whose activities were suspended after the party lodged eight complaints with the Registrar of Societies (ROS).

The dispute comes amid preparations for the Malacca state election, with shifting alliances and Bersatu’s purported move to seek new partners among PN rivals.

“We did not expel Bersatu from PN. As far as we know, Bersatu was not invited to attend meetings, but we do not know about other issues.

“That is why we are asking ROS to explain the factors behind the restrictions on PN’s activities,” said Tuan Ibrahim (above) in Kota Bharu today, Berita Harian reported.

Bersatu has maintained that it remains a legitimate PN component, with its secretary-general, Azmin Ali, previously rejecting PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang’s assertion that its membership had automatically lapsed.

On Sept 25, Azmin (below) explained that Bersatu’s written complaint, submitted on Aug 11, concerned alleged breaches of PN’s constitution, including its exclusion from the coalition’s July 16 supreme council meeting.

He argued that denying Bersatu the right to attend, express its views, and vote at the meeting violated its rights under the coalition’s constitution.

Meeting sought with ROS DG

Tuan Ibrahim, who is also the Kubang Kerian MP, said the coalition’s lawyers wrote to ROS last Monday, seeking a meeting with its director-general and details of Bersatu’s Aug 11 complaints.

“We want to know what those eight complaints contain. To date, we do not know the details of Bersatu's allegations.

“We believe ROS should act fairly and investigate the complaints first before imposing any restrictions on PN’s activities,” he said.

Tuan Ibrahim said the lack of information had left PN unable to understand the basis for the restrictions or respond appropriately.

“We suddenly received a letter restricting our activities, but we were not informed of the details of the complaints,” he added.

He said PN would await ROS’ response to the letter submitted through its lawyers.

“PN’s position is that the matter must be investigated and the coalition should be given an explanation of the complaints and the reasons for the action taken,” he said.

ROS suspended all PN activities effective Sept 23 after issuing a notice seeking its explanation on Bersatu’s complaints.

The registrar also clarified that the notice did not constitute a decision to deregister PN. - Mkini