KUALA LUMPUR, 18 FEB: The latest UMNO lie has been exposed when the Registrar of Societies (ROS) apologised for making an erroneous statement on DAP’s submission of required documents, which led to Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein calling for DAP to be investigated.

At a press conference to refute the false allegations, DAP Organising Secretary Anthony Loke showed irrefutable proof that the ROS acknowledged receipt of the annual report on 8 February, a week ahead of the deadline required by all registered societies. A copy of the letter which was stamped by ROS bearing the date 8 February was made available to the media.

Realising the error, ROS registrar Datuk Abdul Rahman Othman has clarified to that his previous statement was based on information that was “not updated” and this had led to confusion.

“RoS apologises to all parties concerned over this mistake,” Abdul Rahman added.

Minister unprofessional

Upset, Loke told the media that he regretted Hishammuddin’s statement that had tarnished the image and credibility of the party in the eyes of the public, calling the minister “unprofessional”.

“A week before the Chinese New Year, I personally went with my officials to hand in the forms and documents needed. We submitted it at the ROS counter and ROS acknowledged receipt.”

The documents submitted by the DAP to ROS were two copies of the minutes of the Annual General Meeting, two copies fo Form 9, two copies of the party accounts for the year ending 31 December 2011 and three copies of the Central Executive Committee (CEC) name list for the 2012 – 2015 term.

Conspiracy to deregister DAP

Loke questioned whether the willingness of Hishammuddin and other officials to lie showed a conspiracy set up by the ruling party to deregister DAP.

“We have proof that we have submitted the required documents. Is this a conspiracy by BN to deregister DAP?”

Loke added that he did not object to ROS investigation, but doubted the professionalism of the societies regulator and questioned whether DAP would be treated fairly.

The MP for Rasah also added that if the issue arose due to a mistake by ROS officials, it was an internal matter and the minister should take action if the official was found guilty.

Also present at the press conference was DAP Assistant National Organising Secretary, Vincent Wu Him Ven. – The Rocket