PUTRAJAYA: Concerned that certain societies and associations may be involved in illegal activities, the Cabinet has instructed that a report be tabled on registered groups that have committed offences or broken the law, says Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
The Home Minister said ministers had raised their concerns over the involvement of societies in such activities and a lengthy discussion was held over the matter at yesterday’s Cabinet meeting.
“Following the discussion, the Cabinet asked for my ministry to come up with a report listing associations and societies found to have breached the law.
“I will be presenting this report in the first quarter of next year,” he told reporters at an event yesterday.
Saifuddin Nasution said that according to records with the Registrar of Societies (ROS), more than 54,000 groups had been de-registered, including for failure to submit their annual reports.
However, the figures were dated since 1966 and the minister wants the ROS to provide records on its recent de-registration activities.
Saifuddin Nasution said he had, in fact, asked the ROS to carry out random checks on societies not just to ensure they comply with their own regulations but also the Societies Act.
“These checks are also meant to stop the use of any societies from carrying out activities that are against the law, such as money laundering or financing activities that are a threat to safety,” he added.
He also reminded societies that it’s compulsory to submit their annual and financial reports as well as minutes from their annual general meetings, adding that there was a substantial record of non-compliance.
“The ROS has been strict on this. Those who fail to submit their annual reports will be issued with a letter demanding an explanation.
“If they fail to respond to the notice, we will de-register them.
“Any individual who holds a post in a de-registered society will be blacklisted from holding any position in any other association,” he said.
