KUALA LUMPUR – Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman and 12 individuals today obtained leave for a judicial review from the high court to challenge the action of the Home Minister and the Registrar of Societies (RoS) for having yet to decide on their appeal to register the Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (Muda) as a political party.
Judge Datuk Noorin Badaruddin made the decision online today after the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) did not object to it.
Senior federal counsel Ahmad Hanir Hambaly of the AGC, when contacted, said the court also set June 8 for the case management before deputy registrar Firdaus Sidqi Sharil Azli.
Lawyer Lim Wei Jiet, representing all the applicants, also confirmed the matter.
Syed Saddiq, who is the founder of the party, and 12 others, filed the application last April 26. They named the Home Minister and RoS as the first and second respondent, respectively.
In the application, they are seeking a mandamus order for the first respondent (Home Minister) to reach a decision under Section 18 of the Societies Act 1966 on their appeal against the RoS’ decision in refusing to register Muda as a political party on January 6, seven days after a court ruling.
The applicants are also seeking damages, including aggravated and exemplary damages, and other relief deemed fit by the court.
On February 4, Muda submitted an appeal on its registration as a political party to RoS and Home Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin.
The application form to register Muda as a political party was submitted to the RoS last September but was rejected in January. – Bernama, May 25, 2021
