It’s all systems go for SNAP, despite hiccups
The recent Federal Court decision to allow the Registrar of Societies (ROS) appeal won’t deter Sarawak Nasional Party (SNAP) from moving forward.
(Free Malaysia Today) – The dispute over the registration of Sarawak Nasional Party (SNAP) will not affect the party’s move to rebrand itself.
The Federal Court had earlier allowed the Registrar of Societies (ROS) to appeal a Court of Appeal decision to set aside its order in 2002 to deregister Sarawak Nasional Party (SNAP) .
SNAP secretary general Frankie Nyumboi said the party was going ahead with its “rebranding and rebuilding exercises”.
“As far as the party is concerned it remains a properly registered political party. We are operating as usual,” he said .
Nyumboi was asked to comment on a report saying that the dispute over the registration of SNAP is not over yet now that the ROS has been given the nod by the Federal Court to appeal against a Court of Appeal decision which had restored the party’s registration.
“My comment and reaction to the news is simply to say that it is a normal process of litigation and ROS has a right to file for a leave of appeal to the Federal Court to appeal against the decision of the Appeal Court.
“As it is we will leave it to the Federal Court to decide and unless and until the court decides otherwise, we are operating as usual, “he said.
Last Tuesday, a three-member Federal Court unanimously allowed ROS’ application for leave to appeal against the Court of Appeal’s decision to set aside the ROS’ order in 2002 to deregister SNAP.
The appeal concerned itself with the interpretation of Section 13 and Section 16 of the Societies Act which was not decided by the Federal Court.
The Federal Court would have to determine four legal questions in the appeal proceeding including a question on whether under Section 16 of the Societies Act 1966 read together with Section 13 (2) of the same act, ROS was required to act mechanically or has the discretion to cancel a society’s registration if conditions under Section 16 (1) were not complied with.
Another question of law was whether under Section 16 of the Societies Act 1966 read together with Section 13 of the same act, ROS is required to give reasons for its decision to cancel the registration of a society.
