12 political parties approved since GE14, says RoS

SHAH ALAM - As the fever for general elections kicks in, the Registrar of Society (ROS) has received 199 applications for new political parties and NGOs.

RoS said 12 parties have been approved since GE14. Out of that, 10 were from Peninsular Malaysia, while two were from Sarawak.

RoS did not reveal the official list.

However, an analysis by Sinar Premium shows the 12 new parties approved by RoS after GE14 were Muda, Parti Bangsa Malaysia (PBM); Parti Damai Sabah (SPP), Parti Perikatan India Muslim Nasional (Iman), Pejuang and Parti Kemajuan Malaysia.

Others are Perikatan Nasional (PN); Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (Gagasan); Parti Sedar Rakyat Sarawak (Sedar); Parti Bumiputra Perkasa Malaysia (Putra); Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) dan Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS).

RoS further added that 67 political parties with 84.726 branchers have been approved since independence.

Of that amount, RoS said 36 political parties were registered in Peninsular Malaysia, Sarawak (13) and Sabah (18).

There are 83,260 registered NGOs with 11,164 branches, bringing the total of organisations approved to 179,217, it added..

It said the approval procedures remain stringent under Societies Act 1966 (Act 355).

Citing an example, RoS said the registration of nine political parties has been canceled after failing to meet requirements under Section 14 (1) of the Societies Act 1966 (Act 335).

The department added that Section 14 (1) Societies Act 1966 [Act 335] requires every organisation to hold an annual general meeting within the required time, including submitting its financial statements.