THE Registrar of Societies has cancelled the registration of PN, just two days before the Kuala Lumpur High Court was scheduled to hear PN’s application to stay the Registrar’s action in issuing a notice of non-compliance and suspending all PN activities.
PN in a statement on Facebook said the decision to act before the hearing raises serious questions about the purpose behind the exercise of this power and the government’s respect for judicial proceedings.
PN pointed out that on 6 October 2026, the Registrar stated that the issues raised would be answered in court.
On 13 October 2026, the Court granted leave for a judicial review and fixed the stay application for hearing on 22 October 2026, after the Attorney General’s Chambers stressed the need for an inter partes hearing.
A written request on 14 October 2026 for no further action to be taken pending the hearing went unanswered, while the Attorney General’s submissions on 19 October 2026 stated that the cancellation process was “still ongoing”, without informing PN that the cancellation would take place the following day.
The Registrar itself had stated that the issue would be addressed in court, while the Attorney General’s Chambers had insisted on a hearing involving both parties.
However, before the hearing could take place, PN’s registration was cancelled, fundamentally altering the circumstances at the heart of the dispute.
PN said a government that respects the rule of law should have allowed the Court to decide on the application and explained why even a two-day wait was not possible.
PN believes that the timing and sequence of these actions raise serious questions about mala fide and political motives.
The Registrar’s notice was issued on 22 September 2026, when the dissolution of the Melaka State Legislative Assembly was announced, followed by a suspension the next day and cancellation just eleven days before nomination day.
According to PN, the reasons relating to the PN Supreme Council meeting on 16 July 2026 also contradict the Registrar’s written position that the Department “has no authority to interfere”, while PN’s detailed response was rejected as “unsatisfactory” without any substantive justification.
PN went on to highlight that the cancellation affects millions of people who have given PN and its component parties their mandate, while also affecting political activities, party assets and the positions of office-holders.
Administrative powers with such far-reaching implications for the people’s choices and the democratic process should not be exercised without clear justification and due regard for the ongoing judicial review.
PN condemns this action as an attempt to pre-empt the Court’s deliberations and weaken political opponents ahead of the Melaka election.
“A government confident in the legality of its actions should be prepared to defend its decision before a judge, rather than altering the parties’ positions when an application for a stay is about to be heard,” said the statement.
The statement went on that PN will challenge the validity of the Cancellation Order and seek a stay of its implementation and all its consequences pending the Court’s determination.
PN urges the Attorney General to explain this action in light of the Chambers’ position in court during the hearing of PN’s stay application on 22 October 2026.
PN will also take action against all parties who insult and undermine the court process.—Oct 20, 2026
Main image: Mstar
