KUALA LUMPUR, July 1 — A “routine check” by the Registrar of Societies (RoS) that met controversy after a Christian group claimed of bias was only to ensure there are no problems with the agency’s online submission system, said one of the organisations that was visited.
Malaysian Menopause Society secretary Eleen Ong told Malay Mail Online that RoS officials who came to the group’s office in Petaling Jaya at 9.30am yesterday only conducted necessary checks on its book-keeping.
They also sought feedback on the Registry of Societies Electronic System (e-ROSES) that was implemented in 2012.
“The e-ROSES system is to allow us to go paperless by submitting all the organisation’s bookkeeping details online, without the hassle of going all the way to the RoS office.
“However, one flaw in the system is that we cannot key in meeting minutes. This is why RoS came to just inspect our books and see if we have everything in order. It is a good system actually. They just wanted to ensure that everything is in order. It’s a good objective,” she said, adding this was also the first time her society was visited.
“As long as your accounts are audited and tallies with what you have submitted, then it is all good. It is very fast actually, and it is just a matter of showing proof,” she said when contacted.
The Bible Society of Malaysia (BSM), which was among four organisations notified to expect visits, yesterday questioned the RoS for wanting to perform a “routine check” of its premises, saying there has been no such previous visit since its establishment in 1984.
The visit was scheduled yesterday, but was postponed at the last minute without reason.
BSM yesterday demanded to know why it was being checked now, when it has never come in for attention from the RoS in the group’s over three decades of existence.
While the RoS has refused to answer, Ong volunteered one possible explanation on the agency’s behalf.
“BSM asked why these checks are happening only now? That’s because the online system was only implemented in 2012, and 2013 onwards, organisations started submitting documents online. It is good that they have these checks and I am very happy.
“Yes, this is the first time for such checks, but it saves me a hectic journey from Puchong to Shah Alam,” she added.
Two days ago, Malaysiakini reported that the BSM was informed of the RoS visit via an email, with the regulator reportedly telling BSM to prepare its membership roll, meeting minutes and accounts for inspection.
An RoS official told Malay Mail Online yesterday that the planned two-hour visit to BSM’s office is normal procedure that is provided for under the Societies Act 1966.
The RoS insisted that it is merely exercising its rights under Section 63 of the Act ― which grants the registrar power of entry and inspection of a society’s premises, books, accounts, minutes of meetings and other documents.
The particular section, however, states that such powers are invoked if the registrar “has reason to believe that any society is carrying on activities in contravention of any provision of this Act or any regulations made thereunder or any of its rules” and after notice has been given.
A BSM member who declined to be named told Malay Mail Online on June 29 that the society has already dutifully sent in its minutes, membership list and accounts as required.
In January last year, the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (Jais) carried out a surprise raid of BSM’s Selangor office and seized over 300 copies of the bible in Malay and Iban, using a 1988 Selangor state law that prohibits non-Muslims from using “Allah” to refer to God.
The bibles were returned to the Christian community last November, albeit stamped in red with a warning that they were not to be published or used anywhere in Selangor.
