Gerakan submit objection to RoS over use of 'Gerakan' by GHB

Barisan Nasional (BN) component party Gerakan (Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia) has filed an objection with the Registrar of Societies (RoS) to prevent newly formed political party, Gerakan Harapan Baru (GHB) from using the word "Gerakan" in its name.

Gerakan secretary-general, Datuk Liang Teck Meng in a statement said the name "Gerakan" used in the new party was similar to -- Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia and that may confuse the people.

"The mention GHB as Gerakan would be mistaken for "PGRM" or commonly mentioned as Gerakan...therefore the decision by a group from PAS to register the new party as "GHB" will only confuse the public.

"PGRM hope the RoS will prevent the new party from using the word Gerakan in their name," he said adding that PGRM was formed in 1968.

Yesterday, Shah Alam PAS MP Khalid Samad had said that the new party called GHB would be set up on Sept 14 and its formation was aimed at uniting all opposition parties following the spat and decision by PAS and DAP to end their 'political relationship'.

GHB is headed by is former PAS deputy president Mohamad Sabu and comprise members like former Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Muhammad Muhammad Taib, former PAS secretary-general Datuk Kamaruddin Jaafar, former PAS vice president Salahuddin Ayub and former PAS central committee members Khalid, Dr Mohd Hatta Ramli and Datuk Dr Mujahid Yusof Rawa.

"According to the Societies Act 1966 Section 7 (3)(d)(i) and (ii), if the name of a society appears to mislead or resemble the name of another society, then RoS should directly decline the registration of the society," he said.