Mixed views over call to cap party numbers

(The Star) – Barisan Nasional has welcomed the proposal to limit the number of political parties in the country, while Opposition parties and groups are totally against the proposed freeze on new applications.

“I don’t see why we need more political parties,” said Barisan secretary-general Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor.

He said many parties in the country had been formed for the personal interests of those who had quit or resigned from other parties.

He was commenting on the proposal by the Registrar of Societies (ROS) to cap the number of political parties to the existing 33 parties in the country.

Registrar Datuk Abdul Rahman Othman had announced on Sunday that the freeze on new applications was necessary to reduce politicking and to ensure political stability.

However, others felt that the ROS was going beyond its jurisdiction in suggesting the freeze.

“It is the responsibility of the ROS to process all applications,” said PKR secretary-general Saifuddin Nasu-tion.

DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang said any group should be allowed to set up a political party unless it was seen as a threat to national security.

“It is not up to the ROS to determine the number of political parties in the country,” he said. He also asked for the criteria used by the ROS to suggest that 33 parties were enough.

Malaysian Civil Liberties Movement chairman Raja Petra Kamarudin said it was important for the ROS to respect the freedom of association as a fundamental right as stated under Article 10 of the Constitution.

“Allowing them to set up parties can reduce illegal movements and activities,” he said.