Pakatan Harapan today obtained leave from the High Court in Kuala Lumpur in its suit against the Registrar of Societies (ROS) to compel ROS to register it as a formal coalition ahead of the 14th general election.

The court gave the permission after senior federal counsel Susana Atan from the Attorney-General's Chambers raised a preliminary objection.

Harapan's lead counsel Gobind Singh Deo, who is also DAP deputy chairperson, said leave was granted by Justice Azizah Nawawi on two of the applications sought.

"The court has fixed March 15 for case management and we will apply for an early hearing date as the general election is fast approaching.

"This is for us to quickly move forward as we need to prepare for the election," Gobind said.

The opposition coalition filed the applications on Feb 21 with a certificate of urgency. 

In a judicial review application, leave or permission has to be obtained to ensure the application is not frivolous, vexatious and an abuse of the court process.

The two prayers allowed by Justice Azizah to be decided on its merits are:

  • An order of mandamus to compel ROS to respond to Harapan's registration, based on the application made on July 28 last year; and
     
  • Alternatively, for the ROS to register Harapan pursuant to the said application.

Gobind said the basis for the court applications was that while the ROS gave reasons for not registering Harapan, all those problems have been solved and the ROS should now decide.

He explained that the preliminary objection was on the relief sought, but it was resolved through the amendments made.

Lawyers Mohd Haniff Khatri Abdulla and Michelle Ng appeared with Gobind.

Also present today were senior Harapan leaders DAP chairperson Tan Kok Wai, coalition chief secretary Saifuddin Abdullah, Bersatu secretary-general Shahruddin Md Salleh, Amanah deputy secretary-general Abang Ahmad Kerdee Abang Masagus and DAP treasurer Fong Kui Lun.