Malaysia’s Registrar of Societies (RoS) has appealed to the Court of Appeal against a High Court decision suspending the implementation of a notice to deregister Perikatan Nasional (PN).
The appeal was filed on Friday by RoS director-general Datuk Mohd Zulfikar Ahmad and Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, following their dissatisfaction with the decision delivered by Kuala Lumpur High Court judge Datuk Azizan Md Arshad on Thursday.
PN lawyer Muhammad Rafique Rashid Ali confirmed the appeal when contacted by Sinar Harian.
On Thursday, the High Court allowed PN’s application to suspend the deregistration notice until the substantive judicial review proceedings are heard.
Azizan ruled that greater harm could be caused to PN if the suspension was not granted.
RoS had cancelled PN’s registration on Oct 20, saying the coalition’s explanations and representations had failed to rebut the grounds for deregistration outlined in an earlier notice.
On Sept 22, RoS issued a notice to PN, followed by an order suspending all the coalition’s activities from Sept 23 under Subsection 13(2A) of the Societies Act 1966.
In response, five leaders from PN component parties, led by coalition secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan, filed for a judicial review to challenge the action.
The other four applicants are Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia secretary-general Wong Chia Zhen, Malaysian Indian People’s Party secretary-general N Sathes Kumar, Parti Wawasan Negara secretary-general Datuk Seri Saifuddin Abdullah, and Parti Pejuang Tanahair secretary-general Datuk Sazmi Miah.
PN has argued that RoS’ action could affect the coalition’s participation in the Melaka state election, particularly its ability to field candidates under the PN name and logo.
The coalition also contends that any court ruling delivered after nomination day would come too late to restore that opportunity.
The Election Commission has set Oct 31 for nomination day, Nov 10 for early voting and Nov 14 for polling in the Melaka state election.
