COMMENT | No regular reader of my articles could accuse me of being a DAP fanboy. But, even I think the Registrar of Societies (ROS) fiasco on the DAP leadership re-election issue is rather ridiculous.

Suddenly, declaring an election held a full four years ago to be illegitimate, right on the eve of the next general election of the country, smacks of impropriety, political meddling and general incompetence.

As we face this controversy, perhaps it is time we look at the role of the ROS in general, as well as the power it yields.

It would appear that the ROS, essentially, has the power to deregister political parties with little or no justification.

Only a political party registered with the ROS can register a logo for use in the general election.

So, for instance, if DAP were deregistered, its former members would not be able to use their rocket logo, so long as they are associated with DAP.

Backdoor deregistration

Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has very smugly told DAP not to worry, as the ROS, which functions under his ministry, would not be seeking to deregister the DAP.

However, Zahid added that should DAP fail to comply with the order to hold a re-election, its current office holders would not be able to legitimately sign the nomination papers required for candidates to contest under the DAP logo...