KUCHING: Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) must be properly registered to ensure government funding is channelled only to legitimate organisations while strengthening accountability and transparency
Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said all NGOs applying for government funding must be registered with the Registrar of Societies (RoS) under the Ministry of Home Affairs (KDN).
She said registration is a basic requirement to ensure only legitimate organisations are eligible for funding.
“It is one way to ensure that they are legitimate organisations and that everything is carried out transparently. This helps prevent problems, as it is one of our basic requirements.
“We strongly encourage this because it is required, especially by the Social Welfare Department and any agency under the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development,” she told reporters after officiating at the 2026 Wishesland Kuching Charity Food Fair at MBKS Community Hall here today (July 5).
Nancy said the requirement is intended to address cases involving unregistered groups using organisational names to collect funds.
“That is exactly the issue we want to address—leakage. There are people who use a name, but they are not actually registered.
“Some people ask why registration is necessary. But we are using government funds. When we facilitate government allocations or grants, we must also comply with the regulations so that everyone can feel assured because we are all following the requirements of the law,” she added.
She added that public funds do not come from personal sources but from government allocations, and therefore must be managed responsibly in line with public expectations.
Nancy also noted that political parties are not permitted to apply for government funding for political purposes, stressing that such allocations are intended for NGOs involved in social welfare and community well-being.
