Whether Perikatan Nasional (PN) can contest the coming Melaka election under its own logo depends on the Registrar of Societies (RoS), says PN secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan.
He said PN had sought clarification from RoS on its status and eligibility to field candidates following the suspension of its activities.
He said PN had also contacted the Election Commission (EC) over the issue but was informed that the question of the coalition’s status rested with RoS.
“The party that determines whether we can use the PN logo is RoS.
“We have also contacted the Election Commission, and they said it depends on RoS as the regulatory body for societies, including political organisations,” he told a press conference today.
Takiyuddin said PN had written to RoS on Sept 28 seeking an official clarification on the coalition’s status as a registered political coalition.
Among the questions raised was whether PN retained the right and eligibility to nominate candidates and contest elections, particularly the coming Melaka state election.
The uncertainty follows an RoS order suspending PN’s activities.
Takiyuddin said the suspension did not amount to deregistration of the coalition, pointing to an RoS statement on Sept 24 stating that an earlier show-cause notice was not a decision to cancel PN’s registration.
Asked whether PN could resort to using the Pas logo if it was unable to use its own symbol in the Melaka polls, Takiyuddin said no decision had been made.
He said the five PN parties currently working together — Pas, Wawasan Negara, Gerakan, MIPP and Pejuang — were discussing all possible scenarios.
“We have been discussing and will continue discussions among the remaining parties that are with us, these five parties.
“We are discussing all possibilities,” he said.
Pressed on whether there was a preference for candidates to contest under the Pas logo, Takiyuddin said the matter remained under negotiation.
“It has not been determined. It is still under discussion.
“No decision has been made yet,” he said.
Takiyuddin said PN was seeking an urgent court determination because of the approaching Melaka election.
The coalition filed a certificate of urgency together with its judicial review application, asking for the matter to be heard expeditiously.
“We need a determination from the court before the Melaka election is held,” he said.
Takiyuddin said the EC was expected to make decisions concerning the state election on Oct 7.
He said clarity from either RoS or the court was therefore crucial for PN to determine how it would approach the election, including the nomination of candidates and the logo to be used.
Takiyuddin said discussions among the five parties would continue to prepare for all possibilities should PN be unable to contest under its coalition logo.NST
