Should misrepresentation on charitiy funds be punished?

Calvin86 SG

In business, if you purchase a product on a promise of certain features and if the product fails to deliver the promised features, the consumer can find means to enforce a refund or sue the company for misrepresentation.

In Singapore, even if charities mispresent themselves to the public and use falsified figures to solicit donation, it flouts no law.

Do you think the law should punish charities that grossly misuse figures to mislead the public?

free thinker SG

Yes. But how did use those figures? In what situation? Please elaborate. Thanks.

Calvin86 SG

For example, the health minister Lim Hng Kiang told the public from NKF figures that 50% of the donation collected is used to help the patients. Administration fees are kept below 30%. In reality only 10 cents per dollar goes the the patients and expense were not kept below the 30% either.

Even the current Health Minister said he was misled by NKF.

There were other mispresentation cited by Davinder Singh on the number of patients under NKF.

There may be donors donating thinking that most of the donations goes to the patients.

free thinker SG

I see. Wow, even the Health Minister said that yeah... In this case, the Health Minister can be sued for fraudulent misrepresentation as he should know everything relating to health issues.

What about the company? In this scenario the NKF, are you still wondering whether they are "sueable" or what?

Calvin86 SG

i wasnt talking about the health minister's responsibility nor wondering. I am asking the opinions of forumites if charities like NKF inflate patient figures to solict money, or misrepresent themselves on the use of donor funds, should donors be allowed to get back their money or should there be some form of legal resposibilities on the directors.

free thinker SG

Dear Calvin86

I see. Ok. Basically, statements of future conduct(s) and intention(s) do not amount to misrepresentation. For example, if the NKF said that it would give 99 cents of a dollar recieved to the needy in the future; but it never did. That will not result in misrepresentation unless that is a wilful lie which renders them liable for misrepresentation of fact.

I hope that answered your question.

Medicated Oil SG

When the commoner tell a lie, he will be procecuted.

If a Elite makes a mistake, it will be a "oversight".

So, let's move on.

Keep the money for yourself and dun donate.

Then, it will prevent misunderstanding from the Ministry that does not perform their duties after being paid so much money.