Zuraida fails in bid to challenge ROS decision on PBM presidency

PETALING JAYA: Former minister Datuk Zuraida Kamaruddin failed to obtain leave from the High Court to begin proceedings on a judicial review for the Registrar of Societies (ROS) to declare her the Parti Bangsa Malaysia (PBM) president.

Judge Datuk Amarjeet Singh rejected the application of the former Ampang MP under Section 18C of the 1966 Societies Act, Malay language daily Sinar Harian reported.

For the record, the section says decisions involving political parties were final and could not be challenged or appealed or questioned in courts.

When delivering his verdict on Tuesday (June 6), Judge Amarjeet said the court can't intervene, or hear any issues or disputes on internal party matters.

"Under the section, the court is bound by the decision made by higher courts," Sinar Harian quoted Amarjeet as saying.

Last April, the Attorney General's Chambers rejected Zuraida's application, using the same section and criteria.

Zuraida, 65, filed the application on March 24 and named the ROS as the sole respondent, saying that the department's move to maintain Datuk Larry Soon @ Larry Sng Wei Shen as PBM president was not valid.

The affidavit was filed through Messrs Ashmeer Ashrof on March 24.

In October 2022, Zuraida alleged she received a letter from PBM recognising her as the president.

However, Zuraida said she received a letter dated Dec 19 which said Larry Soon had declared himself PBM president and her membership was suspended.

In a supporting application on a judicial review against the ROS, Zuraida alleged the department was careless leading to her membership suspension.

This, according to her, had caused irreparable damage to her image and political career.

The former minister said she only knew about her sacking from the party through The Star portal on Dec 27, although she had never received any notice, letter or information from the party on the matter.