PN to challenge RoS deregistration in court

Perikatan Nasional (PN) will challenge its deregistration by the Registrar of Societies (RoS) and seek a stay of the decision, its secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan said today.

Takiyuddin also urged the attorney-general to explain the move at a High Court hearing on Oct 22, when PN’s application to stay the earlier suspension of its activities is due to be heard.

“PN will also take action against all parties who insult and sideline the court process,” he said in a statement.

The RoS earlier announced that it had deregistered PN after finding that the coalition’s response to a show-cause notice failed to justify retaining its registration.

After examining the documents and explanations provided by PN on Oct 12, the RoS found that PN had failed to rebut the grounds for revoking its registration.

While the High Court granted PN leave for judicial review, the court did not grant an interim stay on the suspension of its activities.

Commenting on the sequence of events, Takiyuddin said PN submitted a written request on Oct 14 for no further action to be taken pending the hearing.

He said a letter from the attorney-general dated Oct 19 stated that the deregistration process was ongoing, without saying it would be completed the next day.

He claimed the deregistration fundamentally changed the circumstances of the dispute before the court could hear PN’s application for a stay.

Allegations to weaken rivals ahead of Melaka polls

Takiyuddin also questioned the timing of the deregistration, alleging that it raised concerns about political motives ahead of the Melaka state election.

He said the RoS issued its show-cause notice on Sept 22, the day the dissolution of the Melaka state assembly was announced, and suspended PN’s activities the following day.

The deregistration, meanwhile, came just 11 days before nomination day for the state election.

“PN condemns this action as an attempt to pre-empt the court’s consideration and weaken a political opponent ahead of the Melaka election,” he said.

The Melaka state election is scheduled for Nov 14, with nomination day set for Oct 31.

Subscribe to our newsletter and get news delivered to your mailbox.