MATTA replies to RoS following complaints of ‘irregularities’ at AGM

PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) has replied to the Registrar of Societies (RoS) following complaints of alleged "irregularities" involving its elections for the executive council during its Annual General Meeting (AGM) in July.

MATTA president Datuk Tan Kok Liang (pic) said after consultation with its legal counsel and in accordance with procedure, MATTA had provided the necessary reply to the RoS on Dec 4

“We take complaints by our members very seriously and we have gone to great lengths to ensure that we have replied to the RoS in as much detail as possible in order to facilitate a smooth review," he said in a statement Monday (Dec 16).

It was reported that (RoS) has given (MATTA) 30 days to explain why its registration should not be revoked, just as Malaysia gears up for Visit Malaysia Year 2020.

The umbrella body for local tour and travel associations now faces the risk of being deregistered.

MATTA received the letter from RoS on Nov 6 stating that it was acting under powers given to the registrar under Section (2) and (13) of the Societies Act.

“The RoS intends to revoke the registration of this organisation 30 days after this notice is served, unless it can provide satisfactory reason why its registration should not be revoked,” said the RoS.

Among the clauses allegedly breached include allowing members whose licences had expired to attend MATTA's AGM on July 13; allowing its honorary secretary-general to assume duties when his contract had ended; and, approving the Selangor MATTA chapter’s financial statement at the AGM.

The RoS said MATTA had also allowed a member from its Kuala Lumpur chapter to contest and hold a position in the chapter for the 2015-2017 term when he was unqualified to do so.

Tan said that one of the alleged breaches occurred in 2015 and questioned the timing of the issue.

"Why is the issue being brought up now after five years?," he asked.

Tan said MATTA will continue to execute its extensive promotional and engagement activities as it gears up to help the government achieve its targets for Visit Malaysia 2020.

Meanwhile, MATTA chief executive officer Phua Tai Neng said that the AGM was conducted based on similar procedures and processes since 2003.

"MATTA had always used an independent technology solutions company to register the delegates for the AGM and another independent auditing company to manage the whole election process including distribution of ballot papers and counting of votes.

"There has never been any issue nor complaint by any member up until now," said Phua.

Tan was re-elected president for the second consecutive term for 2019-2021 during the 44th AGM on July 13.- Star