Perikatan Nasional loses registration after RoS deregistration

PUTRAJAYA — The Registrar of Societies (RoS) has deregistered Perikatan Nasional (PN), the opposition political coalition, following the party's failure to refute the grounds for cancellation presented by authorities.

The move came after PN did not adequately respond to or challenge the specific reasons cited by RoS for the deregistration. The coalition, which comprises several political parties, had been given an opportunity to address the concerns raised but ultimately did not provide sufficient grounds for the RoS to reconsider its decision.

The deregistration of PN represents a major shift in Malaysia's political opposition landscape. The coalition had previously contested federal and state elections as a unified bloc and held significant representation in several state assemblies.

The RoS action underscores the regulatory authority's powers over political party registration and the legal requirements organisations must meet to maintain their status. Political coalitions in Malaysia operate under specific constitutional and legal frameworks governed by the Societies Act.

The decision is likely to have implications for PN's member parties and their continued participation in Malaysian politics, as the coalition's formal legal status is now terminated.