High Court denies Perikatan Nasional's request to suspend its ban before Melaka election
The High Court refused Perikatan Nasional's appeal to lift the suspension imposed by the Registrar of Societies, leaving the coalition unable to campaign for the upcoming Melaka state vote.
In Kuala Lumpur, the High Court ruled against Perikatan Nasional's bid for an immediate stay of the suspension placed on the coalition by the Registrar of Societies. Judge Datuk Azizan Md Arshad granted the party permission to launch a judicial review of the suspension but dismissed its request for a temporary lift. The suspension, ordered on 23 September following a show-cause notice dated 22 September, bars the coalition from any political activity except actions needed to answer the notice.
Consequently, Perikatan Nasional cannot prepare candidates or use its logo for the forthcoming Melaka state election. The party will now challenge the suspension through the courts while remaining sidelined in the election race.
Why it matters
The ruling keeps a major opposition coalition out of the Melaka election, affecting the state's political competition.
How the sides frame it
HIGH AGREEMENTAll camps report the High Court denied Perikatan Nasional's request for an interim stay and allowed a judicial review, but left-leaning and centrist coverage highlight the permission to pursue the review, while right-leaning coverage stresses the denial of the stay and its impact on the party's election activities.
LEFT
Court denies interim stay but grants PN permission to pursue a judicial review
CENTER
Court refuses a temporary suspension yet authorises PN to launch a substantive judicial review
RIGHT
Court rejects PN's bid to lift the ban, leaving the coalition barred from election activities
The left emphasises
- the interim stay was denied
- PN was granted leave to pursue a judicial review
- hearing set for 22 Oct
The right emphasises
- court ruled against PN's request for an immediate stay
- suspension bars the coalition from political activity and use of its logo
- PN cannot prepare candidates for the Melaka election
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