Home minister claims Pejuang, Muda failed to comply with ROS Act
Home Minister Hamzah Zainudin announced today that applications by the Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (Muda) and Bersatu-splinter Pejuang to register as political parties were rejected due to their non-compliance with provisions under the Societies Act 1966.
Hamzah said the Registrar of Societies had, upon verifying documents submitted in both applications, found discrepancies with the requirements under Schedule 1 of the Act...
Home Minister Hamzah Zainudin announced today that applications by the Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (Muda) and Bersatu-splinter Pejuang to register as political parties were rejected due to their non-compliance with provisions under the Societies Act 1966.
Hamzah said the Registrar of Societies had, upon verifying documents submitted in both applications, found discrepancies with the requirements under Schedule 1 of the Act.
"Therefore, the registration applications from Parti Pejuang Tanah Air (Pejuang) and Muda were rejected on Jan 6, pursuant to Section 7(3)(e) of Act 335.
"In relation to that, pursuant to Section 18 Act 335, an appeal application can be submitted to the home minister within 30 days from date of the decision," Hamzah said at a press conference in Putrajaya.
The Bersatu secretary-general said Pejuang's pro-tem committee had met with the ROS on Jan 8 and filed a formal appeal.
However, he added, Muda's pro-tem committee led by Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman has yet to discuss or appeal the decision of ROS.
"Therefore, the ROS hereby stresses that any organisation not registered under Section 7 of Act 335 will be considered an unlawful organisation, pursuant to Section 41 of the same Act.
"If any party is found to carry out any organisational activities, charges can be filed under the same Act," Hamzah stressed.
Syed Saddiq and 12 others who makeup Muda's pro-tem committee have gone to court to challenge ROS' decision, as well as to seek an award for damages.
According to a copy of Syed Saddiq’s affidavit in support of the application, the decision to refuse registration is allegedly unconstitutional as it violated the applicants fundamental right to freedom of speech and expression as well as the right to form associations.
He had also claimed that the real reason Muda was not allowed to be registered was linked to his refusal to abide by an unnamed minister’s request that he "commits" himself to the prime minister.
Meanwhile, in a statement, Pejuang pro-tem deputy president Marzuki Yahya said he expects a favourable reply from Hamzah after considering the party’s appeal letter.
He said Hamzah was merely reiterating what the ROS had told Pejuang before in a letter received on Jan 6, which was later identified as a misunderstanding during the Jan 8 meeting with the ROS.
“In my judgement, there is no longer any reason why Pejuang cannot be approved,” he said today.
He added that the ROS had referred to a printout of Pejuang’s documents that were submitted electronically through its eROSES system, whereas the official document presented to the ROS by Pejuang representatives on Oct 2, 2020 were in good order.
“Both parties have agreed and will take the initiative to use the official documents presented in October 2020 as ROS’ reference to obtain approval,” he said.
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