The Registrar of Societies (ROS) insists it has yet to recognise the DAP central executive committee (CEC), despite the party's claim.

In an Utusan Malaysia report, deputy director Mohd Norzam Mustapa maintained the ROS stand, against its earlier declaration in court that the refusal to recognise the party leadership was merely "advisory" and not legally binding.

"We don't know how they (DAP) could make the declaration because we have yet to receive any such information, particularly from the courts.

"For now, the ROS is investigating the matter and hopefully can get answers to questions about the DAP," he said in an interview with the daily.

The Umno-owned daily is accusing 120 new DAP branches which are seeking registration this year as having participated in last September's re-election.

In a related story, Utusan also interviewed opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim's former private secretary Anuar Shaari who questioned the legality of Lim Guan Eng's position as secretary-general.

“It is clear that the participation of 120 branches which have yet to be registered would have made the re-election of DAP's CEC invalid.

“Therefore, the CEC election result is not valid and Lim Guan Eng's position as DAP secretary-general is also not valid,” Anuar was quoted as saying.

AG put in bad light

The DAP had filed for judicial review against the ROS for refusing to recognise the party's CEC after holding a re-election in September last year.

However, the judicial review application was withdrawn in a settlement on Sept 23 after the ROS admitted in court that its letter to DAP asking the party to refrain from any decisions pending the legality of its status was merely "advisory".

A day later, DAP organising secretary Anthony Loke urged the ROS to approve 120 new DAP branches which registration has been held in limbo since the beginning of this year due to a freeze, pending ROS' investigation.

Meanwhile, DAP national legal bureau chief Gobind Deo Singh in a statement today said the Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC) which represented the ROS in court on Sept had clearly stated that the ROS now recognises DAP's leadership.

He produced a transcript of ROS' declaration in court which read: " ...the ROS recognises that the DAP CEC elected on Sept 29, 2013 may carry out all its powers, functions and duties in the administration of the daily affairs of the DAP in accordance with the constitution of the DAP".

However, Gobind's said the latest stance taken by ROS despite the court decision puts the AGC in a bad light.

"Is the ROS now saying the Attorney-General's chambers has no authority to make that concession on their behalf?" he said.

Gobind added that the DAP CEC will continue to carry out its functions and will take legal action against ROS, including committal proceedings, if necessary.