KUALA LUMPUR – Youth-led group Muda has slammed the home minister for rejecting its appeal to register as a political party just minutes before a judicial review was due on the matter.
In a statement, Muda vice-president Lim Wei Jiet said a federal counsellor informed it that Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin had made the decision on the appeal “a few minutes” before the hearing was to begin at noon today.
Lim said this caused the hearing to be postponed to August 18.
“Muda members were only informed via email from the RoS (Registrar of Societies) that the home minister had rejected Muda’s appeal for registration. No reason was given,” Lim said.
“Muda deeply regrets the home minister’s decision. At all times, Muda had given full cooperation to the home minister and RoS. All issues regarding the (party’s) constitution or registration of documentation have been discussed with the RoS, and all amendments that needed to be made have been implemented.”
The group also slammed the “unreasonable delay” in announcing the decision, adding that it had filed for registration almost a year ago on September 17, while an appeal to the minister was made six months ago on February 4.
“However, the decision to reject Muda’s appeal was only mentioned on the day of the hearing, a few minutes before the court hearing began.
“The ‘timing’ of the home minister’s decision indicates that the authorities only want to delay the registration of Muda for as long as possible.”
Lim added Muda will challenge the decision in court in the near future, in the hope of getting justice served.
“The dirty tactics of this Perikatan Nasional (minority) government will not dampen our spirit to continue to be a check and balance to the failures and shallowness of the leadership that exists today.” – The Vibes, August 12, 2021
