SINGAPORE: Some non—profit organisations in Singapore
have advised the public not to let the latest alleged fraud case,
involving Ren Ci charity, to detract them from the bigger issue of
helping needy Singaporeans.
Ren Ci Hospital and Medicare Centre is one of the largest
charities in Singapore that provides medical and step—down care for
the needy.
Ren Ci’s former CEO, Venerable Shi Ming Yi, was charged in court
on Tuesday with forgery, conspiracy and misappropriating charity
funds.
The monk, whose actual name is Goh Kah Heng, is out on a
S$200,000 bail. He is due to be back in court on August 4.
Venerable Ming Yi was the face of Ren Ci before this latest
incident, and those involved in the charity sector in Singapore
said a distinction has to be drawn between the individual and a
charity’s role.
Gerard Ee, chairman of the National Kidney Foundation, said: "I
hope the public will see it clearly and continue to support Ren Ci
Hospital because the beneficiaries are in need of their support, in
need of continuing service.
"So don’t abandon the support for the hospital. As for the
individual, like I say, let it take its course, let it have a fair
hearing and don’t prejudge."
Other non—profit organisations in Singapore are optimistic that
donor confidence will not waver from this recent setback. However,
it doesn’t help that this comes shortly after the former chief of
National Kidney Foundation, TT Durai, was jailed for
misappropriating funds.
Adrian Choo, an associate lecturer, said: "I thought that other
people would have learnt from him (Durai), but apparently not. It
would cause me to question the integrity of the heads of the
charities and the charities themselves. I used to donate without
thinking, but now I would think much more."
Susan Lee, an entrepreneur, said: "It sort of saddened me... I
feel that it’s the people who mismanaged it, not the organisation.
So I will continue to donate because I wholeheartedly want to give
to the charity and how they manage (the money) is up to them to
answer for it."
Being answerable to donors is precisely what charities have to
do today with the newly introduced Code of Governance, prescribing
guidelines on how charities should be run.
Tan Chee Koon, CEO of National Volunteer and Philanthropy
Centre, said: "If indeed there has been wrongdoing, then justice
must, of course, take its natural course.
"It’s not about the amount. I think for charities, we have to be
purer than pure, and whiter than white. There’s no shortcut to it
because we are operating on public trust. And public trust has to
be earned."
This latest incident involving Ren Ci has certainly disappointed
many Singaporeans, but the consensus is to learn from any mistakes
made, strengthen the safeguards within the charities and move on
with the primary objective of helping the disadvantaged.
i say HOW ABOUT SINGAPORE GOVERMENT START DOING SOMETHING THE
HELP ITS OWN PPL RATHER THAN KEEP ON SUCKING OUR BLOODY $$$$
