Commenting on the controversy surrounding Green Ribbon Association Kuching (GRAK), he said that while he had yet to be briefed on the matter, it was morally wrong for members especially those holding positions to misuse allocations meant for the association’s coffers if such allegations were true.
“This is the first time I have heard of such financial irregularities in the association. If it really did happen in that association, this is a matter which we feel very sad about.
“As someone holding position in an association, there’s a level of honesty and accountability that you must fulfil. But if you misuse the money, I strongly feel that appropriate actions should be taken against you,” he told reporters yesterday after opening the Sarawak Pensioners Association’s (PPKS) 40th annual general meeting.
GRAK has been in the spotlight after four persons claiming to be GRAK members accused its president Law Kern Wan of financial mismanagement, power abuse and so on.
In his response, Law told a press conference on Tuesday that he was contemplating legal action against those defaming the association.
He also denied the allegations hurled at him, and he claimed he had record of expenses, audited accounts and other documents to prove the allegations were false.
Law also claimed the four persons were no longer members of the association, had attitude problems and did not have good relationship with other committee members.
On the next day, the group of four – Yeo Kia Cheng, Liu Siet Lian, Tan Jin Seng and Ng Choon Hua – held a press conference to maintain that what they said against Law was true.
GRAK, which runs a home sheltering 20 homeless inmates at its premises in Jalan Emerald off Green Road here, has been raising funds to build a new shelter at Desa Wira.
According to the four, there are two accounts but Law only showed one account during the press conference the day earlier.
Abdul Karim, commenting further on the matter, said he did not want to accuse anyone but he left it to the police and relevant authorities to investigate the matter.
It was learnt that both sides have lodged police reports.
Asked if there are background checks on associations requesting for funds from the government, he said elected representatives, assistant ministers and ministers would always do so before approving the allocations.
“Of course, nobody would want to declare they have the intention to ‘makan’ (misuse) the money. We take (the request by associations) at face value, as long as the association is registered and known to have activities throughout the year, the YBs (elected representatives) would give it to them. The funds (under minor rural project – MRP) given to us are indeed meant to be distributed to such associations,” he said.
Earlier, in his speech, he said now was the best time for associations to request for allocations from Barisan Nasional (BN) elected representatives because they had been allocated MRP funds during the early part of the year.
He made the remark after learning that the financial position of PPKS was not stable at the moment.
Abdul Karim, also Assistant Minister of Housing, announced that the association would receive total grants of RM15,000, of which RM10,000 comes from Minister of Housing Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg and RM5,000 from his own MRP funds.
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