Monday 28 December 2009

SAM will be deregistered if it threatens nation’s interests

The goverment of Malaysia intimidating conservation groups.
SAM does good work, which is exactly why the government want's
to shut them up and or close them down.

-------------------------------------------------------


Published: Monday December 28, 2009 - The Star

MIRI: Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) can be deregistered as a non-governmental organisation (NGO) if there is proof that it is involved in activities that threatened the nation’s interest, Registrar of Societies (ROS) Datuk Mohd Alias Kalil said on Monday.

He said his office had yet to receive an official complaint against SAM, which had been actively involved in activities against commercial logging and plantation development, besides the building of dams in this country.

Speaking at a news conference while visiting the ROS office here, he said more information was required before they could take action against the organisation which had been active for over 30 years.

He assured that his office would monitor SAM closely and any other NGO which acted extremely in fighting for their cause.

He said the relevant agencies under the Home Ministry should also take follow-up action to ensure that the organisations do not operate illegally after their registration with ROS had been cancelled.

Mohd Alias said throughout the year, 705 organisations were deregistered.

He said only a small number of cases were caused by their flouting regulations which allowed them to operate legally.

“Most of the organisations were deregistered because they failed to submit their annual reports,” he said. - Bernama