PETALING JAYA: Local non-governmental organisations (NGOs) are feeling the pinch as US President Donald Trump continues to cut funds targeting international organisations.
Mahi Ramakrishnan, the founder of Beyond Borders, said her work deals with asylum seekers and refugees by looking at local and regional policies and creating platforms for them to articulate themselves.
“As Malaysia is the current Asean chair, our workload has tripled because civil society organisations (CSOs) including us are desperately trying to lobby for an end to the targeted persecution of civilians by the Myanmar military.
“Many Malaysian CSOs rely on international funding from US-based foundations, NGOs or government programmes to support their work.
“A stop-work order or policy that restricts US funding for international programmes means CSOs working on human rights, environmental protection or democracy-building might lose critical funding,” she said when contacted yesterday.
The vast majority of the US Agency for International Development’s (USAID) programmes have been terminated after a six-week purge, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has announced.
On X, Rubio said the initiatives spent tens of billions of dollars in ways that did not serve US interests.
Mahi said she is working on the continuation of a project they spearheaded last year, where they brought together CSOs based locally (Tenaganita, Asylum Access, North-South Initiative and Sahabat Wanita) and regionally (Asean Parliamentarians for Human Rights, AJAR, Geutanyoe Aceh Foundation, Cross Cultural Foundation and APRRN) as well as Myanmar refugee community leaders to explore recommendations for Asean.
“The recommendations were raised by MPs who are APHR members in respective parliaments.
“Now I need to bring them together again to work on (transforming) those ideas into an action plan.
“We needed funds urgently but could not tap into our former partners in the US.
“Thankfully, Muslim Aid Malaysia has partnered with me on this initiative.
“So, while we have started investing in donor relationships in the UK, we are still feeling the pinch of the stop-work order and we know many CSOs in Malaysia are equally feeling the challenges,” she said.
Citing another example, she said she organised a refugee festival years back to showcase talent from their communities and use the event to connect them with the larger Malaysian society.
“These efforts need funds. If US-based organisations like the National Endowment for Demo-cracy or Open Society Foundations face restrictions, their ability to fund Malaysian CSOs could be severely limited.”
Mahi said local CSOs often collaborate with international networks to amplify their advocacy efforts.
“Now they might lose access to global platforms and networks that rely on US participation.
“For example, environmental CSOs in Malaysia working on climate change might find it harder to collaborate with US counterparts if American organisations are forced to scale back operations.
“Many Malaysian CSOs benefit from capacity-building programmes funded or facilitated by US organisations.
“Programmes on digital security, advocacy or organisational management might be discontinued,” she explained.
According to Mahi, Beyond Borders has moved away from securing large grants and funds from the US since 2023.
“We have exhausted funds from US donors as those projects were completed and delivered. So, while we were spared from receiving letters informing of stalled funds or projects, it doesn’t mean we are not affected,” she said.
Transparency International Malaysia president Raymon Ram said they had to cancel a few projects due to the US federal cuts.
“This was all planned, and bookings were made, but the stop-work order had hampered our hopes of getting the forums and programmes done.
“A loss to our stakeholders, but we also understand our funders’ position. It was out of their control,” he said.
Raymon pointed out that diversification of funding sources is key to moving forward.
“Don’t put all eggs in one basket.
“Also, ensure that the current strategy aligns with the needs of the hour.
“It also depends on the organisation, their objectives and strategy.
“There will be funding opportunities. Diversification is key. Don’t just depend on certain funders,” said Raymon.
