Malaysia deregisters opposition coalition Perikatan Nasional ahead of Melaka state election

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA: Malaysia’s Registrar of Societies (RoS) cancelled the registration of opposition coalition Perikatan Nasional (PN) on 20 October 2026, citing an inadequate response to concerns raised in an earlier notice.

The decision, announced two days before a scheduled High Court hearing concerning the coalition’s legal challenge, adds uncertainty to PN’s preparations for the Melaka state election.

According to Malaysian state news agency Bernama, RoS said it had examined the documents and explanations submitted by PN on 12 October but found that they did not address the grounds for deregistration or sufficiently justify retaining its registration.

PN secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan condemned the decision, questioned the timing and said the coalition would challenge the order in court.

RoS cites failure to address deregistration grounds

In a statement on 20 October, RoS said it had issued PN a notice dated 22 September requiring the coalition to explain matters raised under subsection 13(2) of the Societies Act 1966.

The notice gave PN an opportunity to submit explanations and representations concerning the issues identified by the department.

RoS confirmed that it received the coalition’s response on 12 October before reviewing the submitted documents.

“After examining all the submitted documents and explanations, we found that the reasons given did not refute the grounds for deregistration stated in the notice or provide sufficient justification for maintaining the coalition’s registration,” the department said.

The Registrar of Societies subsequently cancelled PN’s registration under subparagraph 13(1)(c)(iv) of the Act.

RoS also stressed that registered organisations were responsible for complying with the law and their respective constitutions.

The department said it would continue carrying out its regulatory and enforcement responsibilities firmly, fairly and in accordance with the law.

PN questions timing of deregistration

Takiyuddin said the decision raised “serious questions about the purpose for which this power is being exercised”.

He pointed to the ongoing legal proceedings, saying the High Court had granted PN permission to pursue a judicial review on 13 October.

However, the court had refused an interim stay, leaving the earlier suspension in force while the legal challenge proceeded.

Takiyuddin said PN had submitted a written request for RoS to refrain from taking further action while the court considered the matter, but had received no response.

He also referred to submissions made by the Attorney General’s Chambers on 19 October, which described the process as “still ongoing”.

PN questioned why the deregistration decision followed the next day, before the court was scheduled to hear further arguments on 22 October.

The coalition said it would seek to challenge the order and pursue a stay of the decision.

It also called on the Attorney General to explain the government’s position during the hearing.

Dispute centres on Bersatu’s exclusion from coalition meeting

The deregistration followed an internal dispute involving Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu), one of PN’s principal component parties.

Bersatu lodged an official complaint with RoS on 11 August concerning its position within the coalition, including its exclusion from a PN Supreme Council meeting on 16 July.

The complaint also raised questions about Bersatu’s membership status within PN.

The regulatory action centred on an alleged breach of PN’s constitution arising from the failure to invite Bersatu to the July meeting.

Takiyuddin previously said Bersatu had been excluded because of alleged breaches of its own party constitution earlier that week.

He claimed that a Bersatu Supreme Council meeting had decided to use the party’s own logo, rather than PN’s logo, for the Negeri Sembilan state election.

According to Takiyuddin, the meeting lacked the quorum required under Bersatu’s constitution.

He said PN was concerned that decisions made by its Supreme Council could be challenged if Bersatu participated while its own internal proceedings were allegedly non-compliant.

These claims formed part of the coalition’s explanation of the dispute and were not independently established in the material available.

PN says earlier correspondence went unanswered

Takiyuddin said PN had written to RoS on 24 September seeking clarification about the notice and suspension order.

He said the coalition had yet to receive a response to that letter.

RoS issued the notice on 22 September, when the dissolution of the Melaka state assembly was announced, and imposed a suspension the following day.

PN argued that the suspension had obstructed its ability to select candidates and prepare for the election.

The coalition also said RoS had previously stated in writing that the department “has no power to intervene” in the PN Supreme Council meeting held on 16 July.

The sequence of regulatory decisions has become a central part of PN’s objections to the deregistration.

PN alleges political motive ahead of Melaka election

PN questioned the timing of the notice, suspension and subsequent deregistration, noting that the decisions came during preparations for the Melaka state election.

The coalition said the latest order was issued 11 days before candidate nominations, potentially complicating its electoral preparations.

Its criticism focused on the proximity of the deregistration to the scheduled court hearing and the election timetable.

PN said the government “cannot extinguish the people’s desire for political change”, while urging its members to remain calm and abide by the law.

The coalition’s allegations about the timing and purpose of the decision remain its stated position.

Bersatu says RoS decision validates its complaint against PN leadership

According to Malaysian media outlet Sinar Harian, Bersatu secretary-general Mohamed Azmin Ali said ROS decision supported its complaint over alleged constitutional violations within the coalition.

Azmin Ali said the 11 August complaint sought to ensure accountability, transparency and compliance with the law.

He alleged that PN leadership had denied Bersatu its right to attend, speak and vote at a Supreme Council meeting on 16 July, breaching Clause 7.1 of PN’s constitution.

Azmin said Bersatu accepted the decision despite being a founding member. The party will review RoS’s full decision before discussing its next steps and efforts to rebuild public confidence in PN.

High Court proceedings leave suspension in force

On 13 October, the High Court allowed PN to pursue a judicial review of RoS’s suspension notices but refused an interim stay.

Justice Azizan Arshad scheduled further arguments for 22 October, two days after the deregistration decision.

The proceedings concern the alleged breach of PN’s constitution arising from Bersatu’s exclusion from the 16 July Supreme Council meeting.

PN argued that the suspension interfered with candidate selection and preparations for the Melaka election.

The court’s refusal to grant an interim stay meant the suspension remained in force at that stage. The subsequent deregistration introduced a further legal issue for the coalition.

PN’s planned challenge will seek to contest the latest decision, although the outcome of any application for a stay or further judicial review remains unresolved.

PAS–Bersatu split adds to opposition uncertainty

The deregistration comes against the backdrop of a wider breakdown in relations between PN’s two most influential component parties.

On 9 June, PAS announced that it was ending political cooperation with Bersatu after months of tensions over leadership, coalition management and disputes in Perlis.

PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang said the decision followed assessments by the party’s Central Working Committee and was guided by the principle of Muslim unity.

PAS indicated that it would explore alternative political understandings and electoral arrangements.

However, the announcement did not amount to an immediate withdrawal from PN.

The distinction became evident during the Johor state election in July, when PAS and Bersatu continued contesting under the PN banner despite ending their political cooperation.

The parties ran separate campaigns and used their own election machinery.

PN contested 33 seats but failed to win any, losing the three seats it had held following the 2022 Johor election.

Barisan Nasional retained the state government with 48 of the 56 seats, while Pakatan Harapan won eight.

Melaka election puts pressure on PN

The RoS decision comes as political parties prepare for the Melaka state election, with nominations scheduled for 31 October and polling on 14 November.

The election follows the dissolution of the Melaka state assembly on 23 September.

In the 2021 election, Barisan Nasional won 21 of the 28 seats, Pakatan Harapan secured five and PN won two.

PN had argued that the suspension of its activities would interfere with candidate selection, campaign organisation and grassroots mobilisation.