Former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad's political party, the Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Malaysian United Indigenous Party or PPBM) lives to fight another day -- for now.

On April 23, Malaysia's High Court announced that it would grant a stay on the Registrar of Societies (ROS)'s provisional order to dissolve the party, pending the disposal of a legal challenge filed by the PPBM.

High Court judge Azizah Nawawi said:

"The applicant is representing a political party which aspires to contest in the coming general election.

If stay is not granted and PPBM remains provisionally dissolved, it may cause irreparable damage to the political party in its attempt to provide an alternative choice for the voters."

Disbandment order

The ROS announced on April 5 that it would revoke the registration of the PPBM and issue it with a temporary disbandment order, for not providing it with certain documents within a stipulated time.

However, also on April 5, the PPBM filed a leave application to challenge the ROS's decision.

That application was dismissed by High Court judge Kamaludin Md Said on April 11.

Undeterred, the PPBM filed another application on April 13, which sought to quash the ROS's decision by claiming it was wrongfully issued under the Societies Act.

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The PPBM also sought for a stay of ROS actions and proceedings until the disposal of the judicial review application.

Judge Azizah has stated that the ROS's temporary disbandment order of April 5 must be stayed.

This should mean that Mahathir and his party members have a clear path towards competing in the general election.

H/T: The New Straits Times Online

Top image from Mahathir Mohamad's Facebook page