PERIKATAN Nasional’s (PN) ability to contest the Melaka state election under its own logo is facing a fresh legal challenge after the Registrar of Societies (RoS) appealed a High Court decision that temporarily shielded the coalition from enforcement action.
RoS director-general Datuk Mohd Zulfikar Ahmad and Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail filed the appeal against High Court judge Datuk Azizan Md Arshad’s decision yesterday to grant a stay sought by PN pending the outcome of its judicial review.
The stay prevents the authorities from enforcing the suspension notice, cancelling PN’s registration or giving effect to any cancellation while the judicial review remains unresolved.
Court documents sighted by the media today showed that the respondents were appealing against the entire decision. Lawyer Muhammad Rafique Rashid Ali confirmed the filing when contacted.
PN filed its judicial review on Oct 5, challenging the suspension order issued by RoS on Sept 23 and seeking to overturn the suspension and proposed deregistration notices.
In a supporting affidavit, PN secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan argued that the suspension had prevented the coalition’s supreme council and other party bodies from meeting or making decisions, including on its participation in the Melaka election.
He also claimed the order had obstructed PN from issuing statements, organising public gatherings and campaigning, while exposing party officials to the risk of prosecution if they breached it.
The judicial review names RoS director-general Mohd Zulfikar and Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution as respondents. The applicants include Takiyuddin, PAS and the secretaries-general of Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia, the Malaysian Indian People’s Party, Parti Wawasan Negara and Parti Pejuang Tanahair.
PN is seeking a court order to quash the suspension and proposed deregistration notices, along with a declaration that the measures are unlawful.
Nomination day for the Melaka election is scheduled for Oct 31, with polling on Nov 14.
The appeal challenges the interim protection granted to PN; the underlying judicial review has yet to be finally determined. - October 23, 2026