PETALING JAYA: Stronger safeguards are needed to protect public donations and prevent misuse of funds, says Mercy Malaysia.
The humanitarian organisation said it fully supports a proposal by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to tighten public fund management, including donations collected by non-governmental organisations, through clear and enforceable regulations.
It also backed the proposal to consider setting up a Royal Charities Commission, saying such a body could strengthen oversight, set common standards and improve transparency across charitable organisations.
Mercy Malaysia president Datuk Dr Ahmad Faizal Mohd Perdaus said public trust is key to humanitarian work.
"The establishment of the commission would be a timely and important step towards strengthening accountability and ensuring that charitable contributions are managed with integrity and proper oversight," he said in a statement on Monday (March 30).
Ahmad Faizal said the growing scale and complexity of public fundraising, including digital and cross-border donations, make it increasingly important to have clear and consistent rules in place.
"Any new regulatory framework should be developed in close consultation with civil society organisations to ensure it remains enabling, practical and responsive to humanitarian needs," he said.
It added that stronger legislation, particularly in areas involving misuse of public funds, welfare governance and political financing, could help reduce risks such as abuse, conflicts of interest and large-scale misappropriation.
At the same time, the organisation stressed that reforms must strike a balance, allowing humanitarian organisations to respond quickly during crises while maintaining proper oversight.
Ahmad Faizal said Mercy Malaysia stands ready to work with the government and relevant authorities, including the Attorney General’s Chambers, to help shape policies that protect public interest while ensuring NGOs can continue delivering aid to vulnerable communities.
"Mercy Malaysia reiterates its commitment to responsible stewardship of public contributions and to working collaboratively in strengthening governance across the humanitarian sector," he added.
