About 20 new political parties nationwide have sought registration with the Registrar of Societies (ROS), its director-general, Md Alias Kalil, said today.

He said although the applications met the required criteria, the ROS needed more time to study them.

He declined further comment.

Md Alias was speaking at a press conference after attending the closing of a one-day organisation management course for 53 organisations in Kapit, Sarawak.

Kapit member of parliament Alexander Nanta Linggi was the guest of honour.

It is understood that two of the applications are from Parti Ekonomi Rakyat Sarawak (PERS) and Parti Peace.

To date, Sarawak has 2,843 registered organisations.

Last year, 37 were de-registered while up to September this year, less than 10 were struck off the ROS list.

No more ‘bad hats’ sent to Kapit

At the press conference, Loo Yeng Peng, a special assistant to the home minister, said the ministry was in the process of amending or repealing several acts, like the Restricted Residence, Emergency Ordinance, among others.

He said its legal officers were working closely with the Attorney-General's Office on this.

Loo said this in response to a request by Alexander that the ministry cease sending bad hats to Kapit and its interior towns, like Song and Belaga.

Earlier, Alexander had said that if they (bad hats) "were deemed unsuitable in where they came from, (likewise) they were also deemed unsuitable in Kapit, Song, Belaga, or elsewhere in the state."

- Bernama