06-12-2021, 10:53 AM
![[Image: Suriana-Welfare-Society-fb-110621.jpg]](https://s3media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Suriana-Welfare-Society-fb-110621.jpg)
PETALING JAYA: The women, family and community development ministry must immediately issue clear directions for non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to distribute aid for the needy, says former deputy minister Hannah Yeoh.
The Segambut MP said this was because vulnerable groups depended a lot on NGOs to provide their basic daily needs during the lockdown.
“NGOs shouldn’t be made to pay the price when they are already struggling on their own to sustain their operations during the pandemic,” she told FMT.
“Don’t make it harder for them than it already is.”
Last week, FMT reported that volunteer groups faced difficulties in carrying out their aid and care work due to inconsistent government procedures.
Suriana Welfare Society chairman James Nayagam said the NGO was told to apply for a permit through the international trade and industry ministry (Miti). Their application was rejected because they were listed as a non-essential service.
He said Suriana had also appealed to the Registrar of Societies, Social Welfare Department (JKM) and police, but they were referred back to Miti each time.
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