PETALING JAYA: Perikatan Nasional has not ruled out a “mala fide” (bad faith) agenda or political pressure behind the Registrar of Societies’ (ROS) suspension of its activities ahead of the Melaka state polls, says the coalition’s secretary-general, Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan.
He said Perikatan had received a show-cause notice and an order from the ROS under Section 13(2A) of the Societies Act 1966, directing it to suspend all activities until an unspecified date.
“Perikatan takes note of the ROS decision but disagrees with the basis for the decision and is taking immediate steps through the available legal processes to defend the objectives of its establishment and its political agenda,” he said in a statement yesterday.
Takiyuddin said the action was linked to a complaint by Bersatu over a Perikatan meeting held on July 16.
He said the notices were served on Tuesday and Wednesday, coinciding with the official announcement and enforcement of the dissolution of the Melaka state assembly ahead of state polls.
Takiyuddin urged Perikatan members and supporters to remain calm, saying the matter is being handled through the appropriate channels.
He added that the coalition would provide the public with relevant information and documents transparently and issue updates on developments from time to time.
Takiyuddin also announced an immediate gag order prohibiting anyone from making statements on behalf of Perikatan, except its chairman and secretary-general.
In a separate statement, PAS said it had also been informed of the ROS order dated Sept 22 issued against Perikatan under subsection 13(2) of the Societies Act 1966 following a complaint by Bersatu.
“PAS is confident that the notice and order, which were issued on the same dates as the announcement and dissolution of the Melaka legislative assembly, will be dealt with by Perikatan in accordance with the law and the proper legal process,” the party said.
Parti Wawasan Negara also confirmed its receipt of the ROS order.
It questioned whether there was a “hidden hand” behind the issuance of the notices, which coincided with the Melaka Chief Minister’s announcement of the dissolution of the state assembly.
“Parti Wawasan Negara believes that the action is politically motivated and intended to prevent Perikatan from contesting in the upcoming Melaka state election,” it claimed.
Meanwhile, Bersatu vice-president Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu expressed disappointment over the turmoil within Perikatan, describing the situation as a sense of betrayal.
Ahmad Faizal said he was disappointed that something the parties had built together had now turned into a crisis that could have serious repercussions.
Earlier, the ROS clarified that the notice issued against Perikatan under subsection 13(2) on Sept 22 was not a decision to deregister the coalition but was intended to give it an opportunity to respond to a complaint lodged by Bersatu.
The ROS said the notice under subsection 13(2) gave Perikatan a reasonable period to respond, while a separate suspension order had been issued under subsection 13(2A), suspending all its activities with effect from Wednesday.
On Aug 11, ROS confirmed that it had received an official complaint from Bersatu over the party’s claim that it had been excluded from Perikatan’s supreme council meeting on July 16.
The ROS said the complaint also touched on issues relating to Bersatu’s membership status in the coalition.
