KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 24): Perikatan Nasional (PN) has been ordered to immediately suspend all activities following a complaint by one of its component parties against the main opposition coalition.

The Registrar of Societies Malaysia has issued PN a notice under subsection 13(2) of the Societies Act 1966, giving the coalition a reasonable period to respond to the complaint. The notice was issued to seek an explanation from PN and does not constitute a decision to deregister the coalition.

A suspension order under subsection 13(2A) effective Sept 23 was also issued, which the department said was meant to protect the interests of the organisation from continuing breach of its constitution.

PN currently comprises six component parties — Parti Islam Se-Malaysia (PAS), Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia, Parti Wawasan Negara, Parti Pejuang Tanah Air, Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia and Malaysian Indian People’s Party.

Bersatu subsequently lodged a complaint to the registrar on Aug 11, reportedly alleging that it had been unfairly prevented from attending PN’s supreme council meetings and that certain leadership decisions had breached the coalition’s constitution.

Internal tensions have been simmering particularly as PAS gained greater influence within PN, including over the coalition’s leadership.

The two parties have also clashed over election campaigning, with PAS reportedly declining to mobilise its machinery to campaign for Bersatu in the Johor state election, despite both contesting under the PN banner.

In the Negeri Sembilan state election, Bersatu contested under its own logo and went head-to-head with PN in several constituencies.

PN secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan said the coalition disagreed with the basis of the suspension and is taking immediate legal steps to defend its registration, objectives and agenda.

He also raised the allegations that authorities’ action could have been motivated by “mala fide” intentions and political pressure from parties inside and outside the coalition.

The timing of the action coincides with the dissolution of the Melaka state assembly, which paves the way for a state election.

PN urged its members and supporters to remain calm, saying that relevant information and documents will be provided to the public and that it would update them on developments. Further, the coalition imposed a gag order, barring all but its chairman and secretary-general from speaking on its behalf.