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| Members of the Negara-Ku coalition pose for a photo call after the launching of its new non-governmental organisation |
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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].
“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.
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