Johor Baru 24 April 2026 (The Capital Post) – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has called for stricter legislation to curb the misuse of funds collected by non-governmental organisations (NGOs), particularly those raising money for charitable causes.
He stressed that tighter regulations are necessary to prevent abuse involving welfare bodies, foundations and trusts that collect public donations but may not always use the funds as intended.
Anwar highlighted concerns that some organisations use religious or humanitarian causes to attract large sums of donations, including funds meant for international aid, but these contributions could potentially be diverted for personal use or unrelated expenditures.
The Prime Minister’s remarks come amid ongoing investigations into alleged large-scale misappropriation of NGO funds, including cases involving millions of ringgit being channelled into personal assets and accounts.
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He noted that the current legal framework may not be sufficient to monitor how such funds are collected, managed and distributed, underscoring the need for clearer oversight mechanisms and accountability measures.
Authorities have also acknowledged gaps in regulation, with enforcement agencies pointing out that there are limited specific laws governing donations and charitable contributions handled by NGOs, which has allowed instances of abuse to occur.
Anwar reiterated that stronger governance and transparency are essential to protect public trust, especially when funds are raised in the name of humanitarian or religious causes, and to ensure that contributions reach their intended beneficiaries.-The Capital Post