PETALING JAYA: Perikatan Nasional breached its constitution by barring Bersatu from attending, expressing its views and voting at the coalition’s supreme council meetings as a component party, claims Datuk Seri Azmin Ali.
The Bersatu secretary-general said this formed the basis of the party’s complaint to the Registrar of Societies (ROS), which subsequently issued a suspension order against the coalition, halting its activities from Wednesday.
“According to an ROS media release dated Sept 24, it requested Perikatan to provide an explanation regarding the complaint.
“I emphasise that Bersatu made a written complaint on Aug 11 to ROS regarding the breach of Perikatan’s constitution by the new leadership.
“Among other things, the complaint stated that Bersatu was not included in the Perikatan supreme council meeting on July 16, as well as issues regarding Bersatu’s membership status in the Perikatan coalition,” Azmin said in a statement yesterday.
He said Perikatan’s denial of Bersatu’s right to attend, express its views and vote at supreme council meetings violated Clause 7.1 of its constitution.
Bersatu’s complaint also alleged the existence of “veto power” within Perikatan’s leadership that influenced decisions made by the supreme council.
“Individuals who are not office bearers in the Perikatan supreme council often issue statements that can be deemed as threats and pressure to strip and/or remove Bersatu as a legitimate member party of Perikatan.
“This practice contradicts the powers granted to the Perikatan presidential council under the party’s constitution,” he added.
Azmin said that as Bersatu’s representative, he gave a statement to ROS on Aug 18 about the complaint and extended full cooperation to the investigators.
He urged the Perikatan leadership not to undermine ROS’ authority through baseless accusations aimed at gaining political sympathy and masking the failures of its current leadership.
