The group said the decision was “clearly politically motivated”, coming two days before the dissolution of Parliament, after which a caretaker government takes over and thus will not be able to make far-reaching policy decisions.
Bersih said this was not the first time that the RoS has taken such drastic action against opposition parties.
“DAP was also victimised by the RoS for five years, with the threat of the party being deregistered up to a month before the 2013 general election, over its central executive committee elections held the year before.
“Approval of the registration of Parti Sosialis Malaysia was obtained only after 10 years,” Bersih said.
DAP held party elections for the third time in November, the results of which were finally approved by the RoS earlier this year. PSM gained official recognition as a political party in September 2008, after a 10-year wait.
On Thursday, PPBM announced that it had received a letter from RoS, which among others stated the party’s failure to furnish documents within the stipulated deadline, following an earlier notice requiring that the party submit minutes of its branch, divisional and central leadership meetings.
The letter stated that the decision was made under Section 14(5) of the Societies Act, which allows the registrar to “make a provisional order for the dissolution of the society” in the event that it fails to provide the required particulars.
Bersih contended however the Federal Constitution guaranteed the right of every citizen to form associations. “This right needs to be upheld by all parties – including the RoS” which it said should “stop acting as an apparatus of the ruling coalition” and instead act without fear or favour.
“The basic principle of an election is to allow any and all parties to contest on a level playing field.”
Bersih then called for the registration and handling of political parties to be placed under the supervision of an independent Election Commission and not the RoS which comes under the home ministry.
Calling for institutional reforms and changes to the rules and regulations embodied in the Societies Act 1966, Bersih then urged RoS to revoke the restrictions and temporary dissolution of PPBM.