KUALA LUMPUR – The Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM) has recently updated its list of 64 companies limited by guarantee (CLBG) authorised to collect public donations – yet prominent Palestinian fundraisers like Aman Palestin, JomDonate, and Yayasan Nurjiwa are notably absent.
According to SSM records, only a few organisations raising funds for Palestinians are registered and approved, including Mercy Mission Malaysia, Yayasan Al-Sultan Abdullah, and Ensany Global Bhd.
This discrepancy has raised concerns, especially since many organisations are actively soliciting donations for Palestine but are not listed among the approved entities.
Aman Palestin is a non-profit organisation dedicated to providing aid to Palestinians.
Its chairman Abdullah Zaik Abdul Rahman and chief executive officer Awang Sufian Awang Piut are currently facing charges for alleged money laundering and misappropriation of funds, including the purchase of luxury cars.
JomDonate.com, which is associated with Jom Digital Sdn Bhd, faced scrutiny after being linked to influencers Aisyah Hijanah and her husband Aliff Teega, who are accused of misusing funds raised through the platform.
Meanwhile, Yayasan Nurjiwa is a charitable organisation founded by the nation’s singer Datuk Seri Siti Nurhaliza and her husband Datuk Seri Khalid Mohamad Jiwa. It focuses on raising funds for various causes, including aid for Palestinians.
Apart from organisations collecting donations for Palestine, several other prominent entities have recently been included on SSM’s updated list, such as the YTL Foundation, Yayasan Bursa Malaysia, and Yayasan UniKL.
For contributions focused on medical aid, including palliative care, heart conditions, and cancer treatment, notable organisations include Hospis Malaysia, the IJN Foundation, and the Tunku Laksamana Johor Cancer Foundation.
The CLBG list posted on SSM’s portal is designed to help individuals verify the legitimacy of organisations and ensure their donations are directed to reputable entities.
The controversy accentuated the importance of transparency and regulatory oversight in donation collection, making SSM’s initiative all the more vital for maintaining public trust.
A few days ago, SSM revealed that 64 CLBGs have applied and received approval from the Domestic Trade and Consumer Ministry to collect donations from the public.
CLBGs with upcoming expirations must undergo the registration and approval process anew.
The list of approved entities is not final and will be updated by SSM as more companies complete the approval process and are added.
Previously, only the list of CLBGs registered under the Companies Act 2016 was displayed on the SSM portal.
A CLBG is a publicly traded business that was not for profit when it was founded under the Companies Act of 2016 and does not have share capital.
A CLBG cannot pay dividends to its members. Instead, any assets that would typically be accessible to members upon dissolution must be donated to another entity that has the same goal or that promotes welfare.
A CLBG must utilise its earnings to achieve or promote its objectives. Collecting donations without the minister’s or registrar’s consent is illegal for CLBGs. – August 10, 2024
