Murugiah's ultimatum to ROS

The Registrar of Societies (ROS) has been given two weeks to respond to T Murugiah's claim on the presidency of the People Progressive Party (PPP), failing which legal action will be taken.

"I will wait for another two weeks for ROS to reply to me, otherwise I have no other choice but to drag him to court," a clearly annoyed Murugiah told reporters in the Parliament lobby today.

He had written to the ROS on Oct 15 stating that he had been elected party president at an extraordinary general meeting in May. This was after the PPP disciplinary board had sacked him for tarnishing the party's image.

Murugiah and arch-rival M Kayveas have been involved in a public feud over the post.

In August, the ROS and Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein (left) had confirmed Kayveas as president, based on the election of the supreme council during the annual general meeting in 2005.

Murugiah, however, has not abandoned his quest, resorting to Kayveas' past where the Bar Council's disciplinary board had found him and his wife, Blanche O'Leary, guilty of professional misconduct.

"I'm very unhappy with the ROS... everyone knows Kayveas was fined RM5,000 (in 2005). It is stipulated in the law that if someone is fined more than RM1,800, then that person cannot hold any position in any organisation," he said.

"That person also cannot contest in any election, be it a small party election or a by-election, for five years from the day he was penalised. This has been brought to the ROS' attention. Kayveas said he would appeal in court but the court has rejected his appeal.

"I don't understand this - it has been almost four years (since the Bar's action) and ROS has not sent any letter to Kayveas to explain that he cannot hold any post which includes the (PPP) president's post."

Accusing the ROS of bias, Murugiah (right) urged him to expedite action and ensure that the law is upheld.

He further claimed that Kayveas had not even been eligible to contest the general election last year, because the restriction will only be lifted next year.

As such, he said the government should make Kayveas explain why he had run for elected office.

"What is the use of the law and the constitution if these are not (applied)? It would mean that anyone can (commit an offence) and escape the law."

'I won't back down'

Referring to reports that he had bribed a PPP branch chief to secure votes at a party election, Murugiah said he wants to clear his name.

"People think I am a corrupt person... the ROS has to be more responsible and perform his duties well. In my matter, it has been four months (since the appeal was lodged).

"Although I have informed him about this, he has remained mum. Everybody is telling me to keep quiet, but why do I have to keep quiet?"

He added that he has plans to consult the prime minister again, insisting that he will battle it out to the end.