The Malaysia United Democratic Alliance (Muda) has called on the government to approve its application to be registered as a political party “immediately”, in light of the news that Pejuang has been officially registered.
Muda secretary-general Amir Abd Hadi, commenting on Parti Pejuang Tanah Air’s (Pejuang) registration as a formal political party, noted that while it is a welcome development, it nevertheless took a year and a court battle.
“We are urging that the Societies Act 1966 be reformed in line with the Human Rights Commission’s (Suhakam) recommendations.
“The existing law does not specify a time frame for approving political party registrations and provides the home minister full authority over the matter.
“It also allows the RoS to reject any application without reason,” he said in a statement.
Earlier today, former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamed confirmed that Pejuang has formally been approved by RoS as a political party.
The RoS had previously rejected Pejuang’s application. However, the Kuala Lumpur High Court on June 25 ordered the Home Ministry to submit a decision within 14 days.
On May 26, The High Court granted leave to Muda to initiate a judicial review in its challenge against the home minister and RoS over its registration as a political party.
The party also submitted an appeal over its registration as a political party to the RoS and Home Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin on Feb 4.
Muda had previously applied to the RoS to register as a political party last September but was rejected in January.