ROS: Kayveas is legitimate PPP leader

The Registrar of Societies (ROS) has affirmed that M Kayveas, and not former Youth chief T Murugiah, is the rightful president of PPP.

The ROS also stated that the election of Murugiah during an extraordinary general meeting, called by his supporters, was invalid.

Further the ROS ruled that Murugiah's sacking, along with six of his supporters, from the party by the party disciplinary committee was valid and in accordance with the party constitution.

These findings were revealed by Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein at a press conference in Putrajaya today.

Both Kayveas and Murugiah's factions lodged a slew of reports to the ROS against each other since May as they wrestled for control of the party.

The decision of the ROS, however, also found in favour of complaints made by Murugiah against Kayveas, namely that the party had not tabled its financial records at its annual general meeting between 2003 and 2007.

This is a violation of Section 14(1) of the Societies Act 1996.

Other offences included changes to the original PPP logo, holding an AGM after a June 7, 2009 deadline and for electing supreme council members a year too early.

As such, the ROS issued the PPP a showcause letter to explain itself. Should the explanation be unsatisfactory, the party could be de-registered under the Societies Act. The party has 30 days to respond.

Murugiah has no locus

Hishammuddin said the ROS investigations had looked into various angles and had sought the opinions of the Home Ministry legal advisors.

"Based on the information and investigation results, Murugiah does not have the ‘locus' to act as the party's president or use the party platform to perform any activities related to PPP.

"The party is advised to take action against him (Murugiah) if he continues to use the party's name," said Hishammuddin.

To a question, Hishammuddin said Murugiah's status as deputy minister in the Prime Minister's Department would not be affected.

"The position is decided by the prime minister, not the ROS," he said.

Hishammuddin clarified that Murugiah has 30 days to appeal the ROS decision, but emphasised that PPP should straighten out matters with the ROS as soon as possible to avoid de-registration.

The PPP fued began in May when several of Murugiah's supporters began attacking Kayveas' legitimacy as party president.

This led to Murugiah's sacking, and six others, on May 16 for tarnishing the party's name.

They were given two weeks to appeal, but instead of appealing, Murugiah's supporters convened an extraordinary general meeting in Putrajaya which saw him being ‘elected' party president.

Since then, Murugiah had been touring the country as the party's number one and convening a series of AGMs. The next AGM to be ‘officiated' by him is in Malacca on Aug 28.