Negara-Ku NGO declared illegal
Published on: Sunday, July 27, 2014
PETALING JAYA: The newly-formed coalition of non-governmental organisations (NGO) and civil society groups Gerakan Rakyat Menebus Kembali Negara Malaysia (Negara-Ku) has been declared illegal by the Home Ministry.In a statement on Saturday, the Ministry said the organisation had not sent an application to the Registrar of Societies (ROS) and, therefore, was not a registered NGO.According to the statement, Negara-Ku, which was formed earlier this year with 68 member organisations, is presently not registered under the Societies Act 1966 [Act 335].
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"However, if the application for registration is made to the Human Resources Ministry, the name Negara-Ku is not appropriate because it is the property of Malaysia."This is because the name refers to the national anthem and may possibly confuse the public. Therefore in accordance with Section 7(3)(d)(i) and (iii) of the Societies Act 1966, it is inappropriate to be registered as such," the statement read.The Ministry stressed that activities conducted by unregistered organisations are deemed illegal and any organisation which does not meet the requirements of Section 7 of the Act is considered unlawful.Meanwhile, Negara-ku is a coalition of NGOs which does not require it to be registered under the Societies Act, its patron Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan said.
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"We don't believe there is a need to register ourselves because we are a coalition of societies."Ambiga brushed off the ministry's reasoning, saying that Negara-Ku's leadership had already checked the National Anthem Act and had not seen any problem in using the name.
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"We do not believe it is confusing or that it has breached any laws. We are not using the name of the national anthem."The Ministry's ruling comes as Utusan Malaysia slammed Negara-Ku, saying that it was a smokescreen to further Ambiga's political ambition.Ambiga said she was disappointed at the ministry's announcement, and questioned why it had to be led by "minority extremist voices"."It is very disappointing that every time an extremist group raises its voice in public, the Home Ministry jumps to act on what they say and what they feel. In fact, they should be looking at us objectively."How is it a problem when all we are seeking to do is pursue an agenda of unity? They should be looking at the support that the coalition has received from the people.Negara-ku was launched two weeks ago and is headed by activist Zaid Kamaruddin, in an effort to heal Malaysia and restore hope, given the recent challenges that threaten the peace and harmony of its multi-ethnic and multi-faith society.Some 68 civil society groups and NGOs have endorsed Negara-Ku, which is aimed at mobilising and empowering people to return to the basics of the Federal Constitution, Malaysia Agreement and Rukunegara.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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