The Registrar of Societies Malaysia (RoS) received an official complaint from Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) on August 11, 2026, concerning its membership status in the Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalition and its exclusion from a PN Supreme Council meeting held on July 16, 2026 [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]. The complaint alleges that Bersatu was denied participation rights in the PN meeting, sparking the review by RoS.
RoS said it is examining the complaint under the Societies Act 1966, the Societies Regulations 1984, PN’s approved constitution, and available official records to ensure compliance with the law. "To ensure that the review is comprehensive and based on the law, all information, documents and explanations submitted by the parties concerned will be examined," RoS stated [2]. RoS director-general Datuk Mohd Zulfikar Ahmad reiterated that every registered organisation must comply with the Societies Act, relevant regulations, and their constitutions [3].
The membership dispute stems from conflicting statements between PN member parties. PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang claimed early August 2026 that Bersatu’s membership in PN had lapsed automatically following PAS’s June 8 announcement ending political ties with Bersatu before the Johor and Negeri Sembilan state elections [1, 3, 5]. Conversely, PN chairperson Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar confirmed Bersatu remains a component party of PN [1].
Bersatu’s information chief Datuk Tun Faisal Ismail Aziz has accused PAS of using PN for political gain through unilateral actions that infringed upon member rights and violated PN’s constitution. He said, "Pas was using PN at will for political interest through unilateral actions that denied member rights and violated the PN constitution" [3]. PN secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan said the coalition is ready to provide an explanation if summoned by RoS over Bersatu’s claims [3, 5].
Bersatu contested all 24 seats in the recent Negeri Sembilan state elections but did not win any. The party only retained the deposit in the Jeram Padang seat [1]. This poor performance followed PAS severing ties and has added tension to the coalition dynamics.
RoS reiterated it will conduct its review professionally and impartially, with no interest in any party or organisation involved [1]. The review focuses strictly on the legal and constitutional issues surrounding Bersatu’s membership status and inclusion rights within Perikatan Nasional.
RoS’s investigation and decisions are pending. PN has indicated it will cooperate fully and furnish explanations if summoned for further scrutiny by the regulator [3, 5].
