The People’s Progressive Party (MyPPP) is contemplating legal action against the Registrar of Societies (ROS) if the party’s appeal against its deregistration is not given due consideration.

Former MyPPP president M Kayveas said he had submitted an appeal to Home Minister Muhyiddin Yassin through ROS on Jan 15, a day after the party’s registration was revoked.

"I think ROS’ way is not right, (but) I am not blaming the government agency. MyPPP has been dealing with ROS for nearly 25 years. 

"This is the first time I’m forced to take action against ROS, if the matter is not resolved with the minister.

“We have appealed to the minister in accordance with Section 18 of the Societies Act 1966. If the appeal is not settled, the matter will be taken to court,” he told reporters after voting in the Cameron Highlands by-election at SMK Sultan Ahmad Shah today.

ROS had issued the notice on MyPPP’s deregistration to Kayveas and Maglin Dennis D’Cruz, who both claim to be the rightful president of the party, on Jan 14.

Today's by-election was called after the Election Court annulled the victory of C Sivarraajh of the BN in the 14th general election last November due to vote-buying.

Four candidates are vying for the parliamentary seat – Pakatan Harapan candidate M Manogaran, BN's Ramli Mohd Nor, and two independents, Sallehudin Ab Talib and Wong Seng Yee.

However, only Wong and Sallehudin cast their ballots today, since Manogaran and Ramli are not registered voters in Cameron Highlands.

To this, Kayveas said: “It is a mistake in the system. It is hoped that the Election Commission and the government could find a way to ensure contesting candidates are registered voters in the constituency.”

According to the EC, 47 percent of the 31,639 registered voters in the constituency have turned up to vote as at 11am today.

- Bernama