MUDA deputy president Amira Aisya Abd Aziz is taking Selangor Registrar of Societies (ROS) to court for blacklisting her from registering a new association.

She said on April 18, she was informed by ROS via e-mail that her bid together with other women to register a civil society group, Persatuan Impak Wanita Malaysia (PIWM or Malaysian Women Impact Association), was rejected.

“ROS said its checks have found that I had listed my name as chairman for the application to register PIWM,” she told The Malaysian Insight.

“It said I have been blacklisted and, therefore, cannot hold office (for the proposed civil society group).

“ROS has no reason to stop the registration as it is my constitutional right to have freedom of association.”

Amira, in her affidavit filed at the Kuala Lumpur High Court, said ROS’ website stated the blacklist took effect on October 28 last year under section 13(1)(c)(iv) of the Societies Act 1966.

The section states ROS’ power to cancel a group’s registration if it is satisfied that the society has wilfully contravened the act or related regulations, among others.

Amira said the blacklist violated her fundamental right to form an association as per article 10(1)(c) of the Federal Constitution.

“The ROS email was the first time that I have knowledge or been notified of the decision to blacklist the applicant. I was shocked that the respondent has done this,” she said in her affidavit.

“I’m unsure what the exact reason that I am being blacklisted was.”

She also said ROS did not state how long she is to be blacklisted.

“I’m holding a position in Muda as well as a Johor assemblyman. The (blacklist) decision will prevent me from contesting any position in Muda,” she said.

Amira’s lawyer, Lim Wei Jiet, said he did not believe ROS had the power to blacklist someone.

“Essentially, what we are saying is, all these years, ROS has created a database to ‘blacklist’ certain people from forming societies and holding positions in societies,” he said.

“We say there is no such power under the Societies Act to do this, and this is ultra vires.”

He also said the case management would be on September 14. – September 1, 2023.