Home minister rejects Muda's appeal for registration as political party

 

Home Minister Hamzah Zainudin has rejected Malaysian United Democratic Alliance’s (Muda) appeal to be registered as an official political party.

The legal representative of the Home Ministry revealed the decision during the hearing of Muda’s judicial review to compel the ministry and the Registrar of Societies (ROS) to decide on the fledgling group’s bid to be registered as a political party.

The minister and the ROS are the respondents in the legal action.

This was confirmed by the group’s vice-president Lim Wei Jiet through a media statement today.

“A few minutes before the hearing was to begin at noon, the federal counsel (acting for minister) had informed (the court) that the minister had already made a decision on the appeal.

“The (Muda) sponsors were not informed about this development and for that reason, the hearing has been postponed to Aug 18 at 2.30pm.

“Muda’s sponsors were only just informed via email from the ROS that the minister has rejected Muda’s appeal to be registered. No reasons were provided.

“Muda is very disappointed with the decision. At all times, Muda has given full cooperation with the home minister and the ROS.

“Every issue related to the constitution or registration documentation has already been discussed with ROS, and every required amendment has already been implemented,” he added.

Lim expressed disappointment with the minister’s delay in coming up with a decision today, in light of Muda having filed a registration application nearly a year ago on Sept 17 last year and the appeal on Feb 4 this year.

“The ‘timing’ of the decision shows that the authorities only wished to delay Muda’s registration as long as possible.

“Muda will challenge the decision in court soon and hope justice will prevail.

“The dirty tactics of the Perikatan Nasional government will not weaken our spirit to continue to be a check and balance against the failure and shallowness of the administration today,” he said.

Meanwhile, according to a copy of a letter dated yesterday and signed by Hamzah, Muda was informed that the minister has rejected its appeal.

“It is informed that pursuant to the powers provided to me as the home minister under Section 18 of the Societies Act 1966 (Act 335), the registration appeal by Malaysian United Democratic Alliance is not allowed,” the letter read.

Muda is spearheaded by former youth and sports minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman.

Syed Saddiq was formerly Bersatu Youth chief until he was booted out from the party. Muda aims to be a youth-centric, multiracial political platform.

It was reported that among the reasons for Muda's earlier failed legal bid was an allegation that the home minister had asked Syed Saddiq to "commit" himself to Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin.

Previously, Muda had mounted an unsuccessful legal bid for registration. The High Court in Kuala Lumpur on Feb 4 ruled that it should have appealed to the minister first over the issue before proceeding with the legal action.

Muda's earlier legal action was due to the ROS on Jan 6 rejecting its application for registration as a political party. The group had then proceeded to appeal to the minister on Feb 4.

However, the current legal action was filed as it claimed that there was a delay by Hamzah in deciding on its appeal for registration. - Mkini