The Registrar of Societies (ROS) has officially ceased its investigations against Suara Inisiatif Sdn Bhd (Suaram).

In a letter to the human rights group on March 6, the ROS stated that it will withdraw all pending notices against Suaram and all individuals linked with the investigation.

NONE As such, Suaram, in a statement today, confirmed it will be withdrawing its judicial review application against the ROS, which it filed for last Jan 4.

The organisation had sought for a judicial review after ROS, in its probe, had issued a notice against Suaram lawyer Roger Chan to produce documents under section 51(1) of the Criminal Procedure Code.

By requesting privileged documents and information belonging to Suaram, it maintained that the ROS had violated solicitor and client privilege and confidentiality under the Legal Profession Act 1976.

However, Suaram pointed out that the Companies Commission of Malaysia (CCM) has yet to cease its investigation and so called on the commission to follow in the footsteps of the ROS.

Still waiting for CCM

“Now that the ROS had withdrawn all pending notices and the attorney-general (AG) has classified the case as ‘no further action’, Suaram is still waiting for CCM’s withdrawal of its pending notices," Suaram’s executive director Nalini Elumalai said in the statement.

“The seven-month harassment had not only wasted Suaram’s time and resources but also the taxpayers’ monies.

“Who is going to compensate for the peoples’ losses just because of the government’s vindictive persecution?”

NONE Nalini ( right ) said despite the “clear harassment” against the NGO, no enforcement agency involved in the investigations have revealed the results of the probes, nor publicly acknowledged that Suaram has not committed any offence.

On Feb 28, the Kuala Lumpur High Court was told by the representative from the AG's Chambers on behalf of ROS, that the latter has stopped all investigations and will not proceed further.

According to Suaram, they were also informed by the AG’s Chambers that no further action will be taken by them in relation to the case.

However, Suaram then asked the ROS to confirm the matter in writing before it can decide to drop pursuing the judicial review.

Investigations against Suaram began in September, last year after the federal government alleged financial irregularities and receipt of foreign funds.

However, the group instead claims it is being persecuted for helping to initiate a French probe on alleged corruption involving Malaysia’s purchase of two Scorpene-class submarines.