ROS greenlights Bersatu meeting, says rules eased under conditional MCO

The Registrar of Societies (ROS) today said that they have no objection to Bersatu holding its supreme council meeting tonight.

In a statement, it said society bodies have been allowed to organise committee meetings or other social activities since the government started easing its movement control order (MCO) starting May 1.

However, such activities can only be held after seeking permission from ROS, with the condition that it does not involve a large group of people.

"Following the easing of MCO to conditional MCO, which saw the economic sector and several social activities allowed to reopen, ROS has no objection to any organisation that applies to hold their committee meetings or any other social activities that are allowed by the government.

"This permission is limited, and does not include conferences, assembly, annual general meeting or any activities that involve mass gathering," said the statement by ROS corporate communications officer Md Azwari Ma'arof.

The statement was in response to Malaysiakini's request for ROS' comments over Bersatu's supreme council meeting that is scheduled to take place in Kuala Lumpur tonight.

This followed claims by certain quarters that Bersatu should not be holding the meeting as it would go against ROS directive.

In March, following the government's introduction of MCO to curb the spread of Covid-19 virus infection, ROS had issued a directive that prohibits any form of activities by organisations that are registered with it. The directive stated that it is effective until June 30.

According to ROS, since the easing of the rule, they have received and considered applications from registered organisation and NGOs to organise committee meetings.

"In line with this (practice), ROS has been informed and has no objection for Bersatu to hold its supreme council meeting with a certain number of council members.

"Bersatu has been informed to follow standard operating procedures that have been set, and abide by safety guidelines from the National Security Council and the Health Ministry's Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act," said the statement. - Mkini