OSF denies funding to overthrow Malaysian government

PETALING JAYA: The Open Society Foundations have refuted claims that it funded attempts to overthrow the Malaysian Government, describing such allegations as “entirely false”.

“All of the Open Society Foundations’ activity is non-partisan and our annual total funding in Malaysia is on average US$700,000 (RM2.9mil) a year,” said OSF in a statement on Wednesday evening about their work locally, which seeks to empower communities that are largely left out of debates concerning democracy and social justice in Malaysia.

It was reported that the Open Society Foundations (OSF) founded by hedge fund billionaire George Soros had been funding several local organisations in its programmes to allegedly influence the outcome of the next general election.

“During the Open Society Foundations’ past ten years of work in Malaysia, we have supported several civil society organisations aligned to the 80+ strong NGO movement known as Bersih that seeks to ensure free and fair elections and tackle corruption in Malaysia,” the statement continued.

The OSF do not currently support Bersih, though it has provided small grants shortly after the coalition was formed circa 2011 to 2012.

In Malaysia, its grant-making to civil society includes efforts to promote public health, foster fair migration policies and encourage the civic and political participation of all Malaysian citizens.

“For example, the Open Society Foundations are proud that through our support, civil society groups have conducted voter education, poll monitoring and public surveys to provide greater information, participation and oversight for free and fair elections, in addition to cultural activities such as support for an annual film festival,” it added.

Apart from supporting justice, accountability and democratic practice around the world, the OSF also support indigenous communities threatened by dam development in Sarawak and efforts to increase protection and access to justice for Malaysian migrant workers and their communities through education and legal aid.

The OSF is active in over 100 countries around the world and support efforts to promote vibrant and tolerant societies whose governments are accountable to their citizens.