KUALA LUMPUR: The High Court here has allowed an application by eight army veterans to challenge the delay by the Home Minister in deciding on their appeal of an application to register Parti Kemakmuran Negara as a political party.
Lawyer Lim Wei Jiet, representing all the applicants, said Datuk Ahmad Kamal Md Shahid made the decision after a hearing on the judicial review application on Tuesday (Sept 20).
"The court also directed the Home Minister to make a decision on the appeal (on party registration) within a 14-day period from Tuesday,” he said when contacted on Wednesday (Sept 21).
On July 18 this year, Justice Ahmad Kamal allowed the eight individuals’ application to initiate judicial review proceedings.
Brigadier General (Rtd) Datuk Abdullah Mohamed, Commander (Rtd) Yasin Hamzah, Captain (Rtd) Ab Manan Mansor, Abdull Rahim Hashim, Major (Rtd) Kaha Othman, Sazali Ramli, Alias Abd Wahab and Lieutenant Colonel (Rtd) Jalil Ithnin filed the judicial review application on July 7, naming the Home Minister and Registrar of Societies (RoS) as respondents.
They are seeking a mandamus order for the minister to make a decision, in accordance with Section 18 of the Societies Act 1966, on their appeal against RoS’ decision on March 16 rejecting the party’s registration, within a seven-day period from the date of the order.
The eight, who are sponsors of the party, filed the review application on the grounds that, among others, the delay by the respondents in deciding on their appeal was unreasonable and against their right to freedom of speech and association under Article 10 of the Federal Constitution.
They also claim that the delay by the respondents violated the right to vote as enshrined in Article 119 of the Federal Constitution. – Bernama
