Mahathir: No official RoS decision on PH as good as no approval

(FMT) – The lack of feedback regarding the status of the Pakatan Harapan (PH) registration from the Registrar of Societies (RoS) is as good as it not being approved, says PH chairman Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

The former prime minister took to his blog to vent his frustration regarding the failure to get PH registered.

“It is easy, they haven’t officially approved or rejected it; they just haven’t given an answer yet. Not yet is as good as not approving it.

“RoS has not answered our letters. Wait for the minister, minister disappears, he is there but not there, so they have no answers. A month, two months, quarter of a year, half a year, still no answers.

“They might just approve it five minutes before Parliament is dissolved,” he suggests in his trademark sarcasm.

Mahathir said this was deliberately done to confuse the people when they were casting their vote.

“With this, there will be problems with the opposition. Their logo and symbol will not be widely known by the masses and they will be confused when they go out to vote.

“The opposition campaigns will also be in trouble. They will not be able to raise their banners and flags, display their slogans and introduce their candidates.”

He said it was Prime Minister Najib Razak’s hope that voters would be unable to vote for the opposition.

“He is scared of the opposition parties uniting under one banner which is why he is trying to stop it. Najib hopes that BN will not lose.

“BN will still lose, the people are not stupid, they know everything that has happened and that Malaysia’s name has been smeared due to Najib.”

Mahathir had earlier said he was briefed by home ministry secretary-general Alwi Ibrahim who explained the pact’s registration as a formal coalition hit a snag due to problems plaguing DAP and PPBM.

Mahathir is chairman of PPBM which, together with DAP, PKR and Amanah, form Pakatan Harapan.

Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, responding to the opposition’s criticisms, said he had no hand in the decision on whether to approve or reject the registration of PH.

He said there was nothing political about the delay and gave an assurance that RoS would act professionally in the issue.

“RoS has not received DAP’s CEC (central executive committee) fresh elections report held on Nov 12. And PPBM failed to have an AGM since its registration was approved.”

PH submitted its draft constitution to the RoS on July 24 and its logo on July 28.