Since when did Rais become ROS DG, asks Nazri

Caretaker culture and tourism minister Nazri Abdul Aziz has criticised Umno veteran Rais Yatim for raising the issue of the Umno's legal status.

The Umno supreme council member said that such matters fall under the purview of the Registrar of Societies (ROS).

Nazri pointed out that ROS had already made a decision on the matter and Rais should not interfere in the department's duties.

“Since when did Rais become the director-general (of ROS)? I think that after this, he can apply for the position on a contract basis. He can do the job if he thinks it is not being done right.

“There is no need to disturb the duties of the director-general. Let her do her work. There should be no pressure from any quarters,” Nazri told Malaysiakini today.

He was responding to the call by Rais to the Umno supreme council to seek a declaration in court over whether the party had violated its constitution when it delayed its party polls.

The former minister acknowledged that certain individuals might jump upon him with "below the belt hits" following his suggestion.

However, Rais told such individuals to read clause 10 of Umno's constitution as well as Sections 13 and 14 of the Societies Act, which touch on the cancellation and suspension of a society.

Umno, he said, must at least form a legal panel to determine the party's fate.

This morning, 16 Umno members filed an applicationwith the High Court in Kuala Lumpur to challenge the party's legality.

The members are represented by senior lawyer Mohd Haniff Khatri Abdulla, who also represents former Umno president and current Pakatan Harapan chairperson Dr Mahathir Mohamad. - Mkini