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A MAN comes up to you while in a restaurant and asks for RM10 for the
needy and unfortunate. What would you do?
These days, Malaysians find it difficult to trust organisations
claiming to be helping the needy. The New Straits Times interviewed
authorities, welfare organisations, and the public on such collections.
"A collector requires a permit that is issued by the chief of police in
that area to be collecting in the streets," said City deputy police chief
SAC I Patrick Jiges Sijore, referring to the House to House and Street
Collections Act 1947.
This Act, applying to Peninsular Malaysia, says that a person promoting
a collection in an area is liable to a fine not exceeding RM5,000 or
imprisonment up to two years or both without a licence authorising it.
Director-general Meme Zainal Rashid said the Welfare Department
recommends that the public ask them for the permit.
"If the public discover fraud, they can report to the welfare
department or to the police,"she said.
Malaysian Christian Association for Relief executive director Lee Chee
Loi said, Malaysians are a generous lot, but they need to be more careful
when donating.
"There is, however, also a place for genuine requests, and basic
prudence is required to check on the authenticity of the collectors,"he
said.
Business analyst Teoh Han Sen, 30, thinks that most Malaysians don't
believe in these people any more as there are many conmen around.
"But what about those who really need it? We need a way to know if
these people are real,"he said.
Vice-president of Ti-Ratana Welfare Society, T.H.Tan, thinks that the
public should not donate in public areas.
"The public usually give in to sympathy or just to chase these people
away, " he said, adding that it is best for the public to go straight to
the homes or welfare societies.
He also said that certificates are very easy to forge these days and
that there have been individuals using Ti-Ratana's name to collect
donations.
Beautiful Gate Foundation for the Disabled executive director Sia Siew
Chin said just last year, two people misusing her foundation's name were
reported.
Many societies do not encourage street collections but would organise
charity dinners, charity fun fairs, bazaars to raise money, said
Malaysian Red Crescent Society manager of corporate communications Suhana
Mohamed Salleh, adding that the society is one of them.
College student Tan Su-Yin, 21, said,"I usually tell them no thanks
politely, but sometimes they are persistent or they would bring along a
handicapped person with them and Iwould be in a difficult position."
"I doubt street collections, but if I receive a letter from a home or
organisation, I would gladly donate to them," said 57-year-old retiree
Patrick Stephens.
"If you feel that you are not comfortable in donating your money, then
don't do it,"said Shirley Koh, a former president of Lions Club PJ, who
also said that she would ask for their number or address and go to the
home personally.
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