PETALING JAYA: The Government can investigate non-governmental organisations (NGOs) if they are suspected of receiving foreign funding, says Deputy Home Minister Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed (pic).
“If it is found that there is link from funding with plans of the NGO to get involved in politics, which is detrimental to parliamentary democracy, then they can be investigated.
“Strictly the law does not allow NGOs to get involved in political activities, so if they are suspected of doing such things then they can be investigated,” he told The Star Online on Tuesday.
Nur Jazlan, in referring to the Arab Spring in 2010, said that it was not uncommon for governments to be toppled by civil society groups as “NGOs were used as proxies for certain individuals to topple the country of the day”.
“Organisation like Malaysiakini and the Bar Council also received funding. If the money was truly used for civil society objectives, that is fine. But if it is used for other purpose then the police got every right to investigate,” he said.
“If it is used for other purposes, then the police have every right to investigate and bring the matter to court,” he said.
Bersih chairman Maria Chin Abdullah was detained under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act (Sosma) on Nov 18, the eve of the Bersih 5 rally, over the nature of the group’s funding and for activities detrimental to parliamentary democracy.
On Nov 28, the office of Empower was also raided by the police to collect evidence and documents based on information that the NGO received funds from overseas.
Nur Jazlan said that NGOs “should not jump the gun” as all cases would still need to go through the courts.
“There is a process of law in this country. Why should NGOs feel worried about this, if they had received funding and used it in a proper way?” he said.
The Deputy Minister said, however, that Bersih was different because it was not registered under the Registrar of Societies, but the Companies Act.
“Bersih is registered under an advertising company but now is organising demonstrations. That already contravenes the Companies Act.
“If they received foreign funding with the intention to promote activities that are detrimental to parliamentary democracy, then they can be charged under the Penal Code,” he said.
“Malaysia has been allowing civil society to operate in a very open way but they do not seem to respect the law and hide behind political excuses to conceal their true intentions,” he added.-thestar
