Tuan Ibrahim: PN parties must stay calm, strategic amid RoS suspension

KOTA BARU: Perikatan Nasional (PN) component parties should remain calm and strategic in responding to the Registrar of Societies' (RoS) decision to suspend the coalition's activities, said PN deputy chairman Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man.

He said preparations for the upcoming elections should continue, taking into account various possible scenarios, including the use of party logos and coordination of campaign activities.

He said Pas would approach the development calmly and maturely while making full use of the legal avenues available.

"Any decision on this must be made collectively and transparently, while fully complying with the rules of the Election Commission (EC), so that voters are not confused and their rights are protected," said the Pas deputy president.

Tuan Ibrahim, who is also Kubang Kerian member of parliament, said the RoS decision to suspend all PN activities, effective Sept 23, raised serious questions that warranted an open explanation.

He said the suspension followed a complaint by Bersatu, one of PN's component parties, while RoS had issued a notice on Sept 22 giving PN an opportunity to respond.

"However, before the explanation could be properly considered, PN's activities had already been suspended.

"This raises a fundamental question: what was the purpose of issuing a notice seeking an explanation if the suspension had already been implemented?" he said.

Tuan Ibrahim said he did not dispute RoS' authority and responsibility to investigate complaints and act in accordance with the law.

However, he said any decision to suspend PN while it was still given an opportunity to respond should be based on clear, thorough and defensible grounds.

He also expressed concern over the timing of the suspension, which took effect on the same day the Melaka Assembly was dissolved.

He said this could affect political parties' preparations to select candidates, coordinate campaign machinery and provide information to voters within a limited period.

Tuan Ibrahim called on RoS to clearly explain the basis and justification for the suspension, give PN adequate time to submit a complete response, and consider the response promptly and without prejudice.

He also called on RoS to reconsider the need to maintain the suspension while the explanation process was still ongoing.

"Pas believes that truth and justice will prevail through the proper process.

"More importantly, we are confident that Malaysians are mature and capable of assessing for themselves the positions, records and services offered by PN component parties, regardless of developments that may follow," he said.