Perikatan to answer RoS within two weeks as coalition faces possible deregistration

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 26 — Perikatan Nasional (PN) expects to submit its formal explanation to the Registrar of Societies (RoS) within two weeks as it responds to a show-cause notice that could ultimately lead to the coalition’s deregistration, Berita Harian reported.

PN secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan said the coalition was in the final stages of preparing a comprehensive response and holding further discussions to meet the 30-day deadline imposed by the regulator.

“PN’s top leadership also sent an official letter yesterday requesting a special meeting with the RoS director-general to provide and obtain further clarification on what actually happened,” he was quoted as saying.

Takiyuddin was speaking to reporters at the Bunut Payong Cakna Rakyat Carnival in Kota Bharu today.

The RoS suspended all PN activities from September 23 after issuing the coalition with a show-cause notice over a complaint lodged by its component party Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia.

The regulator has said the notice itself does not amount to a decision to deregister PN.

The dispute stems from a Bersatu complaint concerning its exclusion from a PN supreme council meeting on July 16 and questions surrounding the party’s position within the coalition.

Asked whether PN could ultimately be deregistered, Takiyuddin, who is also Kota Bharu MP, said the coalition could not predict the outcome.

“If our explanation satisfies the RoS, perhaps we will not be deregistered. If the explanation is not satisfactory, perhaps we will be deregistered. That’s all,” he said.

Takiyuddin also questioned the timing of the regulatory action, saying the show-cause notice had been issued on the same day the Melaka chief minister announced the dissolution of the state legislative assembly.

“We cannot predict what motive lies behind the action because the show-cause notice was issued on the same day the Melaka chief minister announced the dissolution of the State Legislative Assembly,” he said.