Court orders Home Minister to register MUDA as political party within 14 days

High Court judge Datuk Noorin Badaruddin made the order after allowing a judicial review application by Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman and 12 others against a decision by the Home Minister and Registrar of Societies (RoS) in rejecting their appeal to register MUDA as a political party.

Members of the media were informed on the court's decision by lawyer Lim Wei Jiet, who represented Syed Saddiq and the 12 others, after the proceeding today.

"Judge Noorin allowed the application and revoked the decision by the Health Minister in rejecting MUDA's registration as a political party. The court also ordered the Home Minister and RoS to pay cost of RM10,000 to MUDA," said Lim.

Federal counsel Mohammad Sallehuddin Ali, representing the Home Minister and RoS, when contacted, confirmed the court's decision.

Last Sept 21, Syed Saddiq and the 12 others obtained leave to initiate legal proceedings against the Home Minister and RoS for rejecting their appeal to register MUDA as a political party.

This was after they filed a fresh judicial review application on Aug 24, following their withdrawal of the application they filed on Aug 18 on grounds that it had become academic as the Home Minister had made a decision on their appeal on Aug 12.

They named the Home Minister and the RoS as the first and second respondent, respectively.

They are seeking a declaration that their application to register MUDA as a political party was in order and in compliance with all the requirements under the Societies Act 1966.

They are also seeking a mandamus order for both respondents to register MUDA as a political organisation within 14 days from the date of the order, as well as aggravated and exemplary damages and other relief and orders deem fit by the court.