Parti Keadilan Rakyat (Keadilan) has reiterated its disappointment over the prolonged wait for approval of its merger.

In a joint statement, Keadilan president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and deputy Dr Syed Husin Ali, said they hoped the Registrar of Societies (ROS) would no longer delay registering the Opposition party.

They are looking for a change of heart given the rush by Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi (photo) to welcome a suggestion that rival political parties MCA and Gerakan may consider combining forces at some point.

On Sept 15, the ROS informed the party that the proposed acroynm - Keadilan - had been rejected and that it should find a new one. Keadilan has since appealed to Abdullah in his capacity as Home Minister, but said there has been no reply.

"There are many questions regarding our application. The ROS took nearly a year to inform (the party) that the name is unsuitable," the two leaders said.

"The change in name and amendments to the party constitution was submitted to the ROS on Nov 27 last year...but (nothing) has been approved."

A delegation then met with the ROS and was allegedly informed that his office has to act on the instructions of "the people above".

"If the decision to reject the name of the new party is politically motivated, we strongly urge the Home Minister - who is also now the prime minister - to act in a just and fair manner," the leaders added.

The merged party was launched on Aug 3 after completing a drawn-out process spanning two years to link Parti Keadilan Nasional (Keadilan) and the Parti Rakyat Malaysia (PRM).

Without ROS approval, the two parties will have to contest under their old banner in the upcoming general election due by November next year.