ROS to slap Bersatu with 'provisional dissolution'?

The Registrar of Societies (ROS) is scheduled to hold a press conference on the possible deregistration of Bersatu this afternoon.

An invitation to the 2.30pm press conference stated that it is regarding the issuance of a notice under Section 14(5) of the Societies Act.

Bersatu deputy president Mukhirz Mahathir, when contacted, said the party was aware of the development.

Section 14(5) of the Act reads: Where the particulars required to be furnished under subsection (2) are not furnished within the time stated in the order, or any extension thereof allowed by the registrar, the registrar may make a provisional order for the dissolution of the society.

Sub-section 2 states that the ROS may request from a society to furnish it with documents regarding its rules, list of office bearers and members, meeting details, audited account, and other such particulars.

The ROS had sent a notice dated Feb 28 to Bersatu, requesting the party to furnish its meeting minutes and financial documents within 30 days from that date or face deregistration.

The additional documents were hand-delivered by Bersatu organising secretary Muhamad Suhaimi Yahya on March 29.

Bersatu's status has been cited by ROS director-general Surayati Ibrahim as a stumbling block to the registration of Pakatan Harapan as a formal coalition.

The Umno-splinter group, which was formed in 2016, has been facing trouble with the ROS over its annual general meeting that was held in December.

There were questions over how the national level meeting was held before the branches and divisions could do so.

Last month, Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin explained that Bersatu's constitution had stipulated that branches only need to hold AGMs a year after they were formed. - Mkini