In a statement, Charles Hector said the Societies Act denied individuals the freedom of association guaranteed under the Federal Constitution.

He gave the example of PKR, led by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, which he said had to take “a roundabout way” in order to get itself registered, by taking over an existing political party and amending its name.

He said PKR’s fellow component in Pakatan Harapan, Amanah, had been forced to adopt a similar strategy in order to get itself registered.

“No society in Malaysia can be registered unless its constitution is pre-approved by the Registrar of Societies (RoS), and that results in the state’s ability to deny or control our freedom of association, which is unacceptable.

“Freedom of association means the easy registration of societies,” he said.

He added that it was “hypocritical” of Anwar to urge societies to reject corruption, abuse of power and oppression when the government itself, through the Societies Act and other legislation such as the Universities and University Colleges Act 1971, continued to prevent the right to freedom of association.

Anwar had made the call yesterday, at the launch of Pertubuhan Lima Generasi Malaysia.

Hector’s call for the repeal of the Societies Act comes three days after the RoS rejected the registration application of Indian-based party Urimai.