It's interesting that I should come across the article last weekend. Being a skeptic, I read with interest. It's about charity and (the sometimes misuse) charitable funds.
We have heard about the prominent case, across the causeway. The person was found to misappropriate public donations to swan in luxury cars and lending money to his right hand man.
Do we have enough scrutiny on the charities in Malaysia? What about the code of conduct ? Audit ? What about enforcement ?
With natural disasters all over the world, we see a lot of fund raising activities...but because of inexperience, they often sought professionals to run things. However these professional 'fundraiser' often take up up to 80% of the funds raised - as fees for their service. Meaning that for a ringgit that you donated, only 20 cents goes to the intended beneficiaries. Huh! No wonder I am a skeptic!
It was also learnt that some charitable funds' detail showed that their trustees flew FIRST CLASS to PARIS for a 3-day meeting, staying in the POSH (and off course, extremely expensive) George V Hotel - courtesy of the money meant for the destitute!
Some of these do-gooders are also deep in debt - interesting, isn't it ? Urrgghhh....what if they set up the foundation to solve their money woes ??? Nobody scrutinized the creditworthiness of the foundation's CEO and his spouse - they might be riding the charity tag to dupe media into giving them a good spin. Which reminds me of something that I read quite some time ago - of the funds supposedly for the victims of 2006 tsunami - in which (part of it - a few millions, mind you!) ended up in a personal account and was never transferred to the intended victims!
Nowadays, people are becoming more creative - just to swindle (mostly money) unsuspected souls. They ride on others calamities....
Which brings us to the 'charity begins at home' saying. Well, if you are not born filthy rich, than you are sure to come across needy relatives. Help them first....if you can't find any, then make an extra effort - pass you donation directly to the poor. At least you won't be wondering, what really happens to the 10 ringgit that you donated!
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