The Registrar of Societies (ROS) has rejected applications by both Parti Pejuang Tanah Air (Pejuang) and the Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (Muda) to be registered as official political parties.
The rejections were made yesterday.
In an email sighted by Malaysiakini, the ROS did not state a reason why it rejected Muda's application.
Meanwhile, the media was informed by Pejuang's lawyer Mior Nor Haidir Suhaimi that the ROS also conveyed its rejection to the party via a letter emailed to it yesterday afternoon.
As a result, Pejuang today withdrew its legal action against the delay by the ROS in deciding on the party's registration status.
Mior said this after attending in-chamber case management of the matter before Kuala Lumpur High Court judge Mariana Yahya this morning.
No basis for rejection
In a comment to Malaysiakini, Muda co-founder Dr Thanussha Francis Xavier said the ROS decision prejudiced its constitutional rights to association.
“In our view, the ROS has no basis to reject Muda’s registration and no reason was given for the rejection. This is an attempt by the government to disadvantage and prejudice Muda in the upcoming general election.
“It is also in breach of Muda’s constitutional rights to form an association. We urge this government to compete fairly, and not to enter the battleground with underhanded tactics such as this,” she said.
Article 10 (1)(c) stipulates that all citizens have the right to form associations.
Thanussha added that Muda will be considering challenging the rejection in court.
Muda is spearheaded by Muar MP Syed Saddiq Abdul Rahman, who was formerly Bersatu Youth chief until he was booted out from the party. Muda aims to be a youth-centric, multiracial political platform.
Mahathir to address media
On Dec 10, Pejuang, led by former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, filed a judicial review to compel the ROS to make a decision regarding the party’s registration status.
The review had sought a mandamus order to either approve or reject Pejuang's application to formally register it as a political party under the Societies Act 1966.
Pejuang also sought a declaration from the court that the ROS and its director-general’s failure to respond to any application or written communication is unreasonable and ill-intentioned to delay the registration.
Mior said he will discuss with the party its next course of action.
Pejuang was formed last August as an offshoot of Bersatu.
Pejuang pro-tem chairperson Mahathir, pro-tem president Mukhriz Mahathir, and several others were previously ejected from Bersatu for refusing to sit with the Perikatan Nasional government during a Parliament session.
Mukhriz had said that if Pejuang's registration is rejected, the party may consider contesting the next general election under another party or on a coalition's ticket, rather than as third-party independents.
The party will have a press conference later this evening. - Mkini
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