PUTRAJAYA: The Registrar of Societies (RoS) has received 249 complaints from Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) members to date.
In revealing this today, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said RoS was obligated to look into all of these complaints.
“Out of the 249 complaints, 47 of them so far have elements that the party is violating its own constitution as well as the party’s rules and regulations,” he said after chairing a special committee meeting to address Johor Causeway congestion issues.
Zahid, who is also home minister, said RoS had been executing its duties in a professional manner, with no affiliated interest with any organisation.
He said this in response to criticisms leveled against RoS by some PPBM leaders.
“As someone who once led a government before, he (PPBM chairman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad) should know that during his time, too, the same rules and regulations applied as stipulated under the Societies Act 1966.
“The act states that the RoS has been tasked to look after the interests of the people, especially members of any association, including political parties, based on the organisations’ respective constitutions.
“Don’t blame the RoS when those who pointing fingers do not follow their own party’s constitution,” he said.
To behave in such a manner, Zahid added, would reflect their own “kejahilan” (ignorance).
PPBM’s failure to carry out meetings at branch and division levels before holding its annual general meeting (AGM) was one of the complaints lodged by its own members.
“Those who attended the PPBM AGM were not representatives chosen by the party division and branch members,” said Zahid.
It was reported that the PPBM constitution states that those attending the party AGM must be representatives chosen at division and branch level. The complaints lodged against PPBM were that since these divisions and branches did not hold their elections, the AGM should be null and void.
On DAP, Zahid said RoS had sent a letter to the party on Monday to inform the party of its findings regarding the central executive committee re-election held last year.
He said RoS had concluded that the re-election had adhered to all the necessary requirements.
“The letter is to acknowledge the re-election process and that DAP had complied with RoS directives (which in turn were) based on the party’s constitution,” he said.
The CEC re-election was held after RoS received complaints over the DAP CEC election that was held in 2012 and DAP CEC re-election on Sept 29, 2013.