Former tourism minister Abdul Kadir Sheikh Fadzir today obtained leave for judicial review to compel the Registrar of Societies (ROS) to register Parti Ikatan Bangsa Malaysia (Ikatan).

High Court judge Zaleha Yusof granted the leave in chambers after hearing submissions by Abdul Kadir’s lawyer, K Ragunath, and senior federal counsel Muzila Mohamed Arsad.

She also set costs, the amount to be assessed later, and fixed March 20 for case management.

Meanwhile, Ragunath told reporters outside the court that in his submission, he questioned ROS’ action in not informing his client on the status of his (Abdul Kadir) application to register Ikatan, despite it being sent eight months ago.

Muzila submitted that Abdul Kadir’s leave application was premature as his application to register the party was still under ROS’ consideration.

Abdul Kadir filed the leave application last Feb 15.

In his affidavit supporting the judicial review application, Abdul Kadir claimed he submitted the party’s registration form to ROS on June 6 last year

He also claimed that ROS had acted ultra vires and against legal procedures for failing to respond to his application.

- Bernama