KUALA LUMPUR (March 1): The pro-tem secretary of Parti Pejuang Tanahair (Pejuang), Datuk Amiruddin Hamzah, today filed a judicial review application in order to have the party registered.

Amiruddin named the Home Minister and the Registrar of Societies (RoS) as respondents in the application filed at the High Court through Messrs Law Practice of Rafique.

He is seeking leave for the court to declare that the Home Minister's failure to decide on the party's appeal — made via a letter dated Jan 8 — to be registered is a violation of the RoS statutory duty under Section 18 of the Societies Act 1966.

Amiruddin is also seeking a declaration that the Home Minister's violation of its statutory duty to decide on its appeal by rejecting Pejuang's registration is against the legitimate expectation of the party. It is also illogical and mala fide (bad intention) for the minister to violate its constitutional right to freedom of association as guaranteed under Article 10 of the Federal Constitution, he claimed.

He also wants a mandamus order to compel the minister to give a decision on the party's appeal within seven days and another mandamus order compelling the minister to direct the RoS to register Pejuang.

The party is also demanding costs of the action and other relief deemed necessary by the court.

Pejuang is led by former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

On Feb 2, the Home Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin had announced in a press conference that his ministry has received the appeal by Pejuang.

According to the party, there is still no outcome 45 days after it sent the letter to appeal the decision, in contrast with the swift decision to register the Perikatan Nasional coalition and Makkal Sakthi party.

Pejuang said the Home Minister has a statutory obligation under Section 7(1) read together with Section 18 of the Societies Act, to direct RoS to register the party.

As a result of the delay, Amiruddin said the party is unable to run its activities or programmes in preparation for the 15th general election, or contest using its own logo.

He also affirmed an affidavit in support of his application.

Earlier today, Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin reiterated that he would advise the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah to dissolve Parliament once the Covid-19 pandemic is over, to make way for the 15th general elections.