Govt studying feasibility of enacting Act for charities, says Azalina

 

Law and institutional reform minister Azalina Othman Said said the study will draw references from similar Acts in other countries. (Facebook pic)

PETALING JAYA: 

The government is studying whether it should enact an Act and establish a commission for charities to curb the misuse of donations.

Law and institutional reform minister Azalina Othman Said said the Cabinet had decided to conduct a feasibility study on the matter, reported Bernama.

Azalina said the study, which began on May 6, is expected to conclude by mid-September.

She said the study will also draw references from similar legislation in other countries to assist Malaysia in establishing a comparable Act.

Examples of similar laws in other countries include the Charities Act 2011 in the UK, the Charities Act 1994 (Singapore), the Charities Act 2005 (New Zealand), the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profits Commission Act 2012 and the Charities Act 2013 (Australia).

She was responding to a question from C Sivaraj in the Dewan Negara today on the government’s commitment to establish a commission for charities.

Azalina said mechanisms to ensure transparent fund management will be determined, based on findings from the study.

To ensure fairness, we are conducting the study together with Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, the International Islamic University Malaysia, the Malaysian Bar, NGOs and relevant agencies,

 she said.

“We are concerned that even though there are security screenings by the police and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, sometimes these funds are used for money laundering activities.

In certain cases, we do not know who (individuals or companies) contributed the funds and what their true intentions were (in donating). - FMT