The Court of Appeal here today ruled that the attorney-general can appeal to set aside the leave granted by the High Court to the Selangor government and nine others to challenge the legality of the Registrar of Societies' (ROS) decision to dissolve and deregister Balkis.

Balkis is a welfare and charity organisation of the wives of Selangor

assemblymen and MPs.

Justice Zaleha Zahari leading a three-man panel unanimously dismissed the application brought by 10 applicants to strike out a notice filed by the attorney-general to appeal against the High Court's decision.

Justice Zaleha ruled that the attorney-general had the right of audience at the judicial review proceedings in the High Court and that it was not fatal that the notice of appeal was filed by the attorney-general instead of the Registrar of Societies (ROS).

The other two judges sitting on the panel were Justices Mohamed Apandi Ali and Datuk Zaharah Ibrahim.

The Selangor government, Selangor Menteri Besar Abdul Khalid Ibrahim's wife Puan Sri Salbiah Tunut, who is the current Balkis president, Permodalan Negeri Selangor Berhad, Kumpulan Darul Ehsan Berhad, the Selangor State Development Corporation and five others applied to strike out the notice of appeal on grounds that an improper appellant was named in the notice.

They claimed that the ROS should be named in the notice and not the attorney-general.

On Sept 11 last year, the Kuala Lumpur High Court granted leave to the 10 applicants to challenge the legality of the ROS's decision to dissolve and de-register Balkis.

Balkis had made headlines after Khalid alleged misappropriation of its funds under previous president Datin Seri Zaharah Kechik, the wife of former Selangor menteri besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo.

Senior federal counsel Nadia Hanim Mohd Tajudin and Haryati Ahmad said they would be filing documents relating to their appeal.

- Bernama