The Malaysians for Fair and Free Elections (Mafrel) has called on the Registrar of Societies (ROS) to speed up the registration of the Malaysian Dayak Congress(MDC), saying that any further delay could be construed as 'an act that undermines basic human rights to freedom of association, including forming a political party.'

The independent election watch group said it was concerned that more than half a year had lapsed since the MDC application was submitted to the ROS without any decision being made, despite reported promises and assurances of approval given to its pro tem committee members.

Mafrel chairperson Abd Malek Hussin said in a statement today that as a matter of principle, ROS Kaswari Keman should not delay the registration of any political party or impose unreasonable restrictions on their registration.

No unreasonable delay

He added that in view of the forthcoming Sarawak state elections, there must not be any unreasonable delay or restrictions on the formation of political parties in Sarawak.

He was commenting on the MDC prime-movers' ultimatum to the ROS to make its decision by the end of this month or else they would proceed with legal action to get the ROS' explanation in court for the delay.

In a strongly-worded letter addressed to the ROS and copied to several people, including Chief Secretary to the Government Shamsudin Osman, MDC pro tem president Nicholas Bawin said the Dayak group were growing impatient and angry at the delay and warned of possible consequences of any further delay.

The Mafrel chairperson added in his statement that an election embraces and demonstrates a celebration of fundamental human rights and, more specifically, civil and political rights of the people.

"These basic human rights must not be denied," he stressed.

Malek called on the ROS to offer a public explanation on why MDC cannot be registered without any delay.