PARTI Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) should handover information requested by the Registrar of Societies (RoS) if it does not want to be deregistered, said Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

“PPBM (Bersatu) should hand over everything on their branches’ meetings, right (up) to the annual general assembly.

“I do not want to interfere but PPBM should adhere to its own constitution and to follow the RoS Act 1956. RoS is only carrying out its duties,” he said.

RoS has given Bersatu 30 days to respond to its requests to be presented with the necessary documents – or face deregistration.

Earlier today, in a Facebook video post, Bersatu president Dr Mahathir Mohamad slammed RoS for showing clear bias in its treatment towards Umno, compared to opposition parties.

In a statement yesterday, the RoS said it had on February 28 sent a notice to Bersatu secretary-general Shahruddin Md Salleh following complaints by Bersatu members. 

The notice requested data from documents in order to complete the registrar’s investigations.

Malaysiakini reported Bersatu was requested to present the meeting minutes and financial documents, including for the branch and division levels.

ROS directory-general Surayati Ibrahim said although the Societies Act 1996 had stipulated a seven-day time frame for a response, the organisation has extended the deadline to 30 days.

Bersatu will face deregistration if it fails to comply.

Bersatu, which was formed in 2016, has been facing troubles with RoS since last year.

Last month, Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin explained Bersatu’s constitution had stipulated branches only need to hold AGMs a year after they were formed.

Bersatu is part of ppposition coalition Pakatan Harapan.

RoS has yet to approve PH’s registration as it is still conducting investigation on Bersatu.

“RoS has received the application for registration from PH as well as reports in relation to its component parties, DAP and Bersatu.

“RoS is still conducting investigations into various complains it received about Bersatu to ensure the party’s annual general meeting on December 30, 2017, was conducted in line with the party’s constitution,” the Home Ministry said in a written reply two days ago.

The reply was a respond to a question by Sim Tze Tzin (PKR-Bayan Baru) in Parliament, who asked the ministry to state whether there were additional criteria being imposed on PH’s application.

The 14th general election must be held by August and PH planned for all four parties – Bersatu, DAP, PKR and Amanah – to use a single logo from one of the parties since the pact’s logo has not been accepted.

PH chairman Dr Mahathir Mohamad lashed out at RoS, accusing it of purposely delaying registration to make PH’s campaign difficult. – March 10, 2018.