The Registrar of Societies (ROS) has now come for human rights organisation Suaram’s branch in Penang, after hunting for several Bersih and opposition leaders as witnesses.

Three officers from the department visited Suaram’s office in Sungai Dua at around 10.15am, looking for branch coordinator Lee Hui Fei.

NONE According to Lee ( right ), the officers wanted to serve a notice on her and take her statement. However, she was not in the office at that time.

“They told the other staff members that they will return later,” Lee told Malaysiakini .

She said she had informed the officer, identified only as Zulkifli, that she would meet with them on Monday.

Suaram executive director Nalini Elumalai reiterated that the organisation is a duly registered company under the Companies Act 1965.

Explain your jurisdiction, ROS told

Nalini challenged ROS to state its jurisdiction and powers over Suaram by replying to its letter dated Oct 29.

"As in the past, our requests, verbal and written, have been completely ignored by the ROS," she said in a statement.

NONE "We are appalled by the deafening silence of the ROS and are perturbed by the continuous, senseless investigation on Suaram," Nalini ( right ) added.

"In a phone call made to Hui Fei, Zulkifli has merely said ‘...kami terima laporan jadi lakukan siasatan sajalah…(we received a report, so we are just investigating)’ in response to queries on the jurisdiction and powers of ROS."

ROS recently summoned Petaling Jaya Utara MP Tony Pua under Sections 111 and 112 of the Criminal Procedure Code.

The department has also called up Bersih steering committee member Maria Chin Abdullah and Bar Council chairperson Lim Chee Wee for their statements.

Maria and Lim have been bewildered by the ROS action, since they have never been part of Suaram.

Section 111 outlines police powers to summon witnesses, including obtaining a warrant if any individual refuses to comply. Section 112 lays out the details of an examination process.

ROS also wants a statement from Parti Sosialis Malaysia secretary-general S Arutchelvam, but it has so far not been successful in contacting him in person.

Nalini also strongly urged the government to immediately stop "perverting" the civil servants for its own political agendas.

She said the civil service must be respected and not be brought to the centre of public criticism for being forced to carry out instructions from government leaders.

"Surely, the civil servants deserve more respect and dignity from the rakyat," she added.