Suaram not legitimate NGO

KUALA LUMPUR: Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram) is not a legitimate non-governmental organisation (NGO) as claimed, said a Malay rights group. 

The organisation, which claimed to be independent and non-partisan, is also not registered as a society. It is registered as a company under the Companies Commission of Malaysia (CCM).

Jaringan Melayu Malaysia (JMM) president Azwanddin Hamzah yesterday said Suaram was registered as Suara Inisiatif Sdn Bhd (No 562530-P), a business entity dealing with events.

"This shows Suaram has deceived the public into believing it is an independent human rights organisation. Why is Suaram registered as a company and not an organisation?" he said .

Azwanddin said causes championed by Suaram had created ambiguity as it seemed to be partisan.

"Besides, some of the politicians in Pakatan Rakyat, such as R. Sivarasa, Tian Chua, and Elizabeth Wong, are from Suaram. How can Suaram assure the public that it is transparent and not partisan when its registration with CCM is dubious?"

Azwanddin said Sivarasa and Tian Chua should clarify the matter immediately.

He said based on CCM's year-end financial statement for 2010, Suaram had a business revenue of RM497,137 in 2009 and RM411,226 in 2010.

"How and where did the funds come from? Are there investors from outside the country funding Suaram? The people ought to know how Suaram declared such a high revenue."

He added that the company, registered in 2004, was headed by two people in the board of directors, Yeoh Seng Guan and Kua Kia Soong, and secretary, Wong Shan May, according to the CCM financial statement.

"JMM is curious why Suaram is involved in matters like the Scorpene submarine purchasing issue."

He said it was a disappointment that the public had been misled and made to believe that Suaram was an independent NGO.He handed out copies of CCM's financial statement on Suara Inisiatif to those present.

When contacted, Suaram executive director Nalini Elumalai said it would issue a statement today.

Read more: Group: Suaram not legitimate NGO - General - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/nation/general/group-suaram-not-legitimate-ngo-1.101169#ixzz2xz0DH4Cq