Media Statement
Efficiency for Selective Purposes and for Cronies?
Aliran is impressed with the efficiency of the Registrar of Societies (ROS) in registering in record time the newly formed Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party.
It took only three days to approve and register this party - a record perhaps matched by UMNO Baru (New UMNO), which was also served with super speed when its application was submitted - if we recall correctly - on a Saturday and was duly registered the following Monday in February 1988. (The original UMNO, the main party in the ruling coalition, had been declared unlawful on 4 February 1988.)
We congratulate the ROS for a job well done.
But we cannot understand why he was not all that efficient and speedy when the Socialist Party of Malaysia (PSM) submitted its application for registration in 1998.
In fact, its application was rejected twice - once by the ROS and once by the Home Affairs Ministry - without any reason.
Finally, PSM took its case to court. Unlike the trial of jailed ex-deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim which proceeded in court at super speed, PSM's case has met with delays and postponements. Its case was postponed four times previously and is now set for trial on Nov 13.
We are informed that the Attorney General's Chambers had asked PSM to withdraw its case, stating that it would intercede with the ROS to have the party's application approved. But this offer could not be taken up because there was nothing in writing.
It seems that when the right word is put in by the right people, the registration is not a problem. But shouldn't such applications be considered entirely on their own merit?
Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad had stated that the Sarawak National Party (SNAP) needed to be rehabilitated through the setting up of a new party. So the new party was registered.
If PSM could go along with the suggestion of the AG's Chambers and withdraw its case, then it might also be registered.
But we need to ask why the AG's Chambers has to prompt the ROS to undertake this responsibility when it is his duty to do so on his own volition.
There is no doubt that cronies are entertained and served with efficiency but others do not seem to deserve similar service and courtesy. It is indeed disturbing that the independence and integrity of every institution in our land has been destroyed to serve the purpose of the ruling elite.
P Ramakrishnan This statement was sent to the local media including The Star, New Straits Times, and The Sun. | |||||||||||||||||
