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SHAH ALAM – Perikatan Nasional (PN) secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan has accused the government of abusing its power after the Registrar of Societies (RoS) cancelled the coalition’s registration today (Oct 20), just two days before the Kuala Lumpur High Court was scheduled to hear its application to suspend the Registrar’s earlier action.
In a statement, Takiyuddin described the cancellation as an attempt to pre-empt the court’s consideration of the dispute, raising questions about the timing of the decision and its implications for PN ahead of the Melaka state election.
“Today, Oct 20, the RoS cancelled the registration of PN, just two days before the Kuala Lumpur High Court was scheduled to hear PN’s application to suspend the ROS’ action in issuing a notice of non-compliance and suspending all PN activities.
“The decision to act before the hearing raises serious questions about the purpose behind the exercise of this power and the government’s respect for judicial proceedings,” he said.
Takiyuddin outlined the sequence of events leading to the cancellation, saying the RoS had stated on Oct 6 that the issues raised by PN would be addressed in court.
He said the court granted leave for judicial review on Oct 13 and scheduled PN’s application for a stay of the RoS’ action for a hearing on Oct 22, following the Attorney General’s Chambers’ insistence that an inter partes hearing involving both parties was necessary.
According to Takiyuddin, PN submitted a written request on Oct 14 asking the RoS to refrain from further action pending the hearing, but received no response.
He added that submissions by the Attorney General’s Chambers on Oct 19 described the cancellation process as “still ongoing”, without informing the court that the registration would be cancelled the following day.
“The Registrar itself stated that the issues would be addressed in court, while the Attorney General’s Chambers sought a hearing involving both parties. Yet, before the hearing could take place, PN’s registration was cancelled, fundamentally changing the circumstances at the heart of the dispute.
“A government that respects the rule of law should have allowed the Court to decide on the application and explained why it could not even wait two days,” he added.
Takiyuddin said the timing of the actions raised questions about possible improper motives, pointing to the Registrar’s notice issued on Sept 22, the day the dissolution of the Melaka State Legislative Assembly was announced.
He said PN’s activities were suspended the following day, while the registration was cancelled 11 days before nomination day for the state election.
He also disputed the reasons given by the Registrar concerning a PN Supreme Council meeting held on July 16.
According to Takiyuddin, the ROS had stated in writing on that date that its department “does not have the power to intervene”. However, he said PN’s subsequent detailed response was rejected as “unsatisfactory” without substantive reasons.
Takiyuddin said the cancellation had far-reaching implications beyond the coalition’s legal status, potentially affecting millions of people who had supported PN and its component parties, as well as political activities, party assets and the positions of office-bearers.
He argued that administrative powers with such significant consequences for voters’ choices and the democratic process should be exercised with clear reasons and due regard for ongoing judicial proceedings.
“PN condemns the action as an attempt to pre-empt the Court’s consideration and weaken political opponents ahead of the Melaka election.
“A government confident in the legality of its actions should be prepared to defend its decision before a judge, rather than alter the position of the parties when an application for a stay is about to be heard,” he said.
Takiyuddin said PN would challenge the validity of the cancellation order and seek a stay of its implementation and all its effects pending the court’s determination.
He also urged the Attorney General to explain the cancellation in light of the position taken by the Attorney General’s Chambers during the court proceedings concerning PN’s stay application, scheduled for Oct 22.
Despite the cancellation, Takiyuddin said PN’s component parties remained united in defending their rights and the people’s mandate through legal channels and the democratic process.
He urged members and supporters to remain calm, obey the law and allow the legal process to take its course, while encouraging the public to assess the government’s use of administrative powers against political opponents ahead of the election.
“The cancellation of PN’s registration exposes a government that is becoming increasingly desperate and fearful of growing public support for PN.
“The government has clearly abused its power to cancel the registration, but it cannot extinguish the people’s desire for political change and a change of government,” he said.
