PUTRAJAYA: The Registrar of Societies (RoS) has ordered Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Pribumi) to temporarily disband for 30 days.

RoS director-general Surayati Ibrahim said Pribumi has failed to fulfil the RoS’ Feb 28 notice requesting for documents and details regarding the party.

Speaking at a press conference here, she said the RoS served Pribumi with the temporary disbandment notice under Section 14 of the Societies Act 1966 at 12.30pm on Thursday (April 5).

Pribumi, co-founded by former premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, is not allowed to use its logo or conduct any party activity during its disbandment with immediate effect.

“Pribumi is not allowed to conduct any activities during the 30 days. The RoS will take further action if it infringes upon the order,” Surayati said, declining to comment on what further action the RoS will take.

It has 30 days to fulfil the RoS’ request for more documents, failing which, the party will be permanently disbanded.

The Pakatan Harapan component party can lodge an appeal within the 30 days.

Surayati also declined to comment on allegations that it is a political ploy to bar Pribumi from contesting in the general election. She said the RoS was acting on complaints from party members.

The disbandment came as Pakatan filed a judicial review on Feb 21 in its bid to obtain a court order to compel the RoS to respond to its letter to become a registered coalition.

In its affidavit, Pakatan stated that it wrote a letter on July 28 last year to the RoS director-general to register the coalition and again on Aug 21 and most recently Feb 6, 2018, asking for a response.

Pakatan claimed that it did not get a reply and is seeking a mandamus order for the respondent to register it as a coalition under the Societies Act 1966.

The Home Ministry had earlier said ongoing investigations into Pribumi due to complaints received over its AGM is holding up Pakatan’s registration as a formal coalition.

Without RoS’ approval of its registration, Pakatan will not be able to use its official logo to contest in the polls. It will likely use PKR's logo to contest in the general election.

Pakatan comprises PKR, DAP, Pribumi and Amanah.