Raus Sharif J:

[1] This is an application by the applicants for the following relief:

(a) an order of certiorari to quash the decision of the Registrar of Societies ("ROS") dated 5 November 2002, in cancelling the registration of Parti Kebangsaan Sarawak ("SNAP");

(b) a declaration that the decision of the ROS dated 5 November 2002, in cancelling the registration of SNAP is void and of no effect;

(c) an order that damages be assessed;

(d) costs to be paid to the applicants; and

(e) such further or other relief as the court deem fit.

[2] The applicants were, at the material time, the duly elected President and Secretary-General of SNAP respectively. SNAP was registered as a political society under the Societies Act 1966 ("the Act") on 10 April 1961. Since then SNAP had been actively involved in the Malaysian political scene, particularly in the State of Sarawak.

[3] Sometime in 2002, a leadership crisis had occurred in SNAP between two groups. One group was led by the president, Dato' Amar James Wong, whilst the other group was led by the deputy president, Dato' Sri Peter Tinggom.

[4] The trouble surfaced when the deputy president, in the absent of the president, convened t