Activist charged with offences related to running unregistered organisation
Zafar Ahmad Abdul Ghani, who heads a Rohingya human rights organisation, claims trial to both charges under the Societies Act.
Source: Free Malaysia Today · September 30, 2026 at 2:32 PM · AI-assisted report
Single-source
PUTRAJAYA, 30 SEPTEMBER 2026 —
A Putrajaya magistrate court on 30 September 2026 charged Zafar Ahmad Abdul Ghani, the president of the Myanmar Ethnic Rohingya Human Rights Organisation Malaysia (Merhrom), with two offences under the Societies Act. The charges, filed under Sections 42 and 48, relate to managing and representing an unregistered society.
Market Impact
The Registrar of Societies (RoS) said the charges followed an investigation into Merhrom’s activities and statements, during which Zafar allegedly introduced himself as the organisation’s president. “RoS found that Merhrom was not registered and that Zafar was not an office bearer,” the RoS stated. Zafar has claimed a trial for both charges. The court has scheduled a mention hearing for 30 October.
Merhrom, which claims to advocate for Rohingya human rights, has not been formally registered with the RoS. Under Section 42 of the Societies Act, it is an offence to manage an unregistered society, while Section 48 makes it an offence to represent an unlawful society. The investigation reportedly focused on the organisation’s public statements and the role Zafar claimed within it.
The case highlights the strict regulatory framework for civil society organisations in Malaysia. The RoS has previously warned that unregistered societies can face prosecution, and this case is the first time a Rohingya‑focused group has been charged under the Act. The court’s mention hearing will determine whether the charges are sustained and whether the case proceeds to trial.
For Malaysian civil society, the ruling may signal a tightening of oversight on organisations that operate without formal registration. It also underscores the importance of compliance with the Societies Act for groups that seek to influence public policy or advocate for minority rights. The outcome could affect how other unregistered groups structure their operations and engage with the public.
The next step is the mention hearing on 30 October, where the court will decide whether to proceed with the trial. If the case moves forward, it will be the first instance of a Rohingya‑focused organisation facing prosecution under the Societies Act, potentially setting a precedent for future regulatory actions against similar groups.
Related: Registrar of Societies (RoS) · Zafar Ahmad Abdul Ghani · Putrajaya