MANY in non-governmental organisations (NGOs) are unaware that the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009 (MACC Act) applies to them if they are public bodies as defined under the MACC Act. For example, any society registered under the Societies Act 1966 and any sports body registered under the Sports Development Act 1997 are defined as a public body.
NGOs play a vital role in addressing social, environmental, sports and humanitarian issues worldwide and nationally. They have noble objectives. However, like any sector, NGOs are not immune to the scourge of corruption.
