PEOPLE'S POWER

HRP’s application: Hisham gets 14 days to decide

G Vinod | February 21, 2012

KL High Court orders Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein to decide on HRP's application to be registered as a political entity.

KUALA LUMPUR: The High Court here today ordered Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein to decide on the Human Rights Party’s (HRP) application to be registered as a political entity within a fortnight.

The decision was made by Justice Rohana Yusuf who gave Hishammuddin 14 days to respond.

In August last year, the Registrar of Societies (ROS) rejected HRP’s application, which was submitted in November 2010.

The ROS said the application was rejected because it was not in order and that party’s constitution did not meet its requirements.

HRP pro-tem secretary-general, P Uthayakumar, duly filed for a judicial review, saying that no political party’s registration has ever been rejected thus far.

“Even Parti Sosialis Malaysia’s (PSM) registration is approved. Why pick on us?” asked Uthayakumar.

The former ISA detainee also criticised ROS’ excuse for denying its application, saying 99% of HRP’s constitution is similar to DAP’s constitution.

“So if our constitution did not meet ROS’ criteria, then DAP is also illegal,” he said.