'Nothing abnormal about deregistration of Johor Chinese school association'

Home Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said today there is nothing abnormal about the deregistration of the Johor Chinese School Managers and Teachers Association.

"I found that this is not an isolated case. There are several other associations which had been deregistered, and they appealed to the minister.

"So this is one of the cases. It's normal," he told the media in Putrajaya.

Earlier, Muhyiddin met with representatives from the Johor association and the United Chinese School Committees' Association (Dong Zong). The Johor association is affiliated to Dong Zong.

The representatives were Tan Tai Kim (photo), who chairs both the Johor association and Dong Zong, Dong Zong vice-chairperson Yang Yin Chong, central committee member Low Chee Chong, and lawyer KF Wong.

Also present was Registrar of Societies director-general Masyati Abang Ibrahim.

Muhyiddin stressed that the Johor association must adhere to the requirements under the Societies Act 1966 to resolve the issue.

On Aug 8, Dong Zong was served with a letter of deregistration by the Johor ROS. 

Muhyiddin previously said that this pertained to the management of several of its affiliated associations, which did not obey ROS regulations.

Among other issues, he said, was a suggestion by the state ROS that the Johor association be registered under the Education Ministry because it involved teachers.

"But it does not manage schools. It is only involved in the welfare (of its members). So it's fitting that it is registered under ROS," he added.

Commenting on the meeting, Low said that he was grateful to Muhyiddin, who was willing to listen to their problems and gave hope for the Johor association to resume operations.

"Muhyiddin told us that he would get the ROS and lawyer to resolve the issue as soon as possible," he said.

"We asked him to clarify matters pertaining to the deregistration, but he said, 'Forget about it, let's move forward'."

Meanwhile, when asked whether ROS would look into deregistering Umno due to allegations of financial wrongdoing, Muhyiddin said it is up to the registrar to investigate any reports received.

"If there is any report with any association or parties, she (ROS director-general) will look at every aspect of the law and take proper action.

"I cannot respond, because I don't want people to assume that we (the government) are doing something about it," he stressed.  - Mkini