RoS issues PPBM with temporary suspension order

PUTRAJAYA: The Registrar of Societies yesterday issued a temporary suspension order on Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia, giving PPBM 30 days to furnish the required particulars or face dissolution.

RoS director- general Surayati Ibrahim said the order was issued under Section 14(5) of the Societies Act 1966.

She said PPBM was prohibited from using the name of the party and symbol and carry out party activities during the 30 days.

She said she issued the order after PPBM failed to submit in full all information and documents requested via a statutory notice under Section 14(2) of the act made on Feb 28.

“As such, as the Registrar of Societies, I have taken action in accordance with Section 14( 5) of the Societies Act 1966 and issued the temporary suspension order to PPBM.

“If, within the 30 days, PPBM submits the information and documents as instructed, RoS can cancel t he temporary suspension order,” she said at a press conference at the Registry of Societies here.

“PPBM is reminded to comply with the temporary suspension order by not using its name and symbol and carrying out activities, so as to avoid action against it,” she said.

Surayati did not elaborate on the form of action that could be taken.

RoS had issued a notice to PPBM under Section 14(2) of the Societies Act 1966, requiring it to submit the minutes of its branch, divisional and central meetings as well as the party’s financial statements.

The notice was effective Feb 28 and PPBM was given 30 days to respond with the requested information and documents.

Surayati said the RoS acted against PPBM following complaints received from 428 members on the way the party handled its meetings, document management and use of the Angkatan Bersatu Anak Muda, the youth wing, which was not provided for in the party constitution.

She explained that as per Section 14(7) of the act, upon the expiry of the 30- day period and if there was an appeal and it was rejected, the temporary suspension order would become absolute and PPBM would be deemed to be an unlawful society and its registration would be cancelled.

Surayati said the temporary suspension order affected the registration of the Pakatan Harapan pact of which PPBM was a member.

Pakatan Harapan submitted an application for its registration in July last year.

Commenting on the RoS order, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said any political party must comply with the legal procedures of the country.

“If we form associations, we have to comply with the rules of association, companies must comply with the laws governing companies … our country is a sovereign nation, we have rules,” she said to reporters at Parliament House.

“When such a thing happens, the sad part is the allegations and accusations and fake news.

“Do not come out with stories that one has been persecuted and so on.”

“They have not followed procedures and that’s the truth,” she said.

Meanwhile, PBBM chairman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad criticised the order issued by RoS.