COC finds financial irregularities at Sri Siva Krishna
Temple
SINGAPORE : The Commissioner of Charities (COC) has found
financial irregularities and serious lapses in the governance and
management of the Sri Siva Krishna Temple at Marsiling
Rise.
This follows its inquiry into the temple early this
year.
The COC has also lodged a report with the Commercial
Affairs Department.
Responding to media queries, police confirmed that a
report on financial irregularities found at Sri Siva Krishna Temple
was received from the COC on 3 June 2010.
A police spokesperson said: "The Commercial Affairs Department has
commenced investigations into the report. It is inappropriate for
us to comment further at this juncture as investigations are
on-going."
The red flag was raised at the Sri Siva Krishna temple in July last
year, when the Hindu Endowment Board (HEB) expressed its concerns
to the Community Development, Youth and Sports Ministry.
In February, the COC launched its inquiry.
The findings pointed to evidence of serious lapses in governance
and book-keeping.
Among them are suspected forgery of payment vouchers and
misappropriation of the temple's funds.
These include payments purported to have been made but not received
by the vendor, donations made to the temple but not accounted for
in the temple's accounting records, as well as missing donation
receipt books.
The transactions took place between January 2007 and July 2008
before the Protem Committee, set up by HEB, took charge of the
financial affairs of the temple.
The COC also found serious lapses in the governance and management
of the temple between January 2007 and July 2008.
While there was a Management Committee, the temple was also in the
sole control of then president, A Sivalingam.
The COC said there was a severe lack of segregation of duties, and
checks and balances.
For example, Mr Sivalingam had sole custody of the donation monies
and gold received by the temple.
He also maintained the accounting records, approved
contracts/purchases and disbursed cash/cheques on behalf of the
temple. Most of the decisions of the temple were made by him or
with his acquiescence.
The inquiry also revealed the lack of proper controls over the
revenue collection and receipt books.
The COC has initiated action to remove Mr Sivalingam as a charity
trustee.
The COC noted that a new Management Committee was elected at the
temple's annual general meeting held in April 2010.
Mr A Sivalingam had voluntarily resigned from the office of the
President on 6 May 2010. However, he was subsequently elected as
the temple's advisor and chief executive officer with effect from
22 May 2010.
Given the inquiry findings of mismanagement in the administration
of the temple during his tenure as the president, the COC is
concerned with his continued involvement in the temple's
affairs.
Any representation regarding COC's intention to remove Mr
Sivalingam as a charity trustee should be submitted by 22 August
2010 via [email protected] or by post to the Office of the
Commissioner of Charities at 512 Thomson Road MCYS Building
Singapore 298136.
The temple's annual income for FY2007 was S$350,000 - mainly from
donations. Its net asset is valued at S$2.7 million.
- CNA/ms
