Cabinet concerned by societies involved in illegal activities, says Saifuddin

PUTRAJAYA: Concern over certain societies and associations’ possible involvement in illegal activities has prompted the Cabinet to request a report on those found to have violated the law.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said some ministers had raised the issue, which was discussed at length at the recent Cabinet meeting.

“Following the discussion, the Cabinet asked 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 here on Wednesday (Dec 13).

Saifuddin said that according to Registrar of Societies (ROS) records, more than 54,000 groups had been deregistered for various reasons, including failure to submit annual reports.

However, the figures date back to 1966 and Saifuddin said he had told RoS to provide statistics for more recent deregistrations.

Saifuddin added that he had, in fact, asked ROS to make random checks on societies to ensure compliance with their respective charters as well as the Societies Act 1966.

“These checks are also meant to stop the use of any societies for activities that are against the law, such as money laundering or that are a threat to safety,” he explained.

Saifuddin said it was compulsory for societies to submit their annual and financial reports as well as minutes of annual general meetings, and there was a substantial record of non-compliance.

“The ROS has been strict in this regard. Those who fail to submit annual reports will be issued a letter demanding an explanation of why they should not be deregistered.

“If they fail to respond, they will be deregistered.

“Any individual who holds a position in a deregistered society will be blacklisted and cannot hold a post in any other association,” he said.