The recent EGM of Transparency International Malaysia (TI-M) has put to rest recent issues which have thrown the Society into turmoil regarding the status of the outgoing secretary general, Ms Josie Fernandez. 39 eligible voters from a total of 41 members who registered their attendance at the Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) of Transparency International Malaysia (TI-M) on July 20, 2013, made their voices heard on the issue and voted on various resolutions proposed for consideration.
The EGM which was held at Kiara Room, Royal Selangor Club (Kiara Annexe), Bukit Kiara, Kuala Lumpur, to openly discuss the event and issues surrounding the 2nd Executive Committee Meeting held on May 24, 2013, including the elections that were conducted thereat, and also events and issues which transpired thereafter. It has also given the Exco the opportunity to clarify and explain issues at the EGM.
By majority the EGM voted against the following resolutions proposed by 16 requisitionists who had called for the EGM:-
(a) that the entire Executive Committee (Exco) vacate their offices for elections to be held; and
(b) that the offices of the President, Deputy President and Secretary-General be vacated and for fresh elections to be held.
With these results, the composition of TI-M Executive Committee was confirmed and remains status quo as follows:-
(a) President : Dato’ Akhbar bin Satar
(b) Deputy President : Prof. Datuk Haji Mohamad bin Ali Hasan
(c) Secretary-General : Dr. Loi Kheng Min
(d) Treasurer : Encik Mohamed Raslan bin Abdul Rahman
(e) Committee Member : Mejar (R) Rozni bin Hashim
(f) Committee Member : Dr. Muhammad Mohan
(g) Committee Member : Dr. Pola Singh
(h) Committee Member : Dato’ Dr. A. Ganesan
(i) Committee Member : Mr. Tam Wah Fiong
With the above episode behind the Society the Executive Committee has called upon all TI-M members to close ranks and work together to achieve TI-M’s objectives and continue the work of contributing positively to the fight against corruption.
However recent events after the EGM do not augur well for the Society as Ms Fernandez appears to have been unsatisfied with the outcome of the EGM and has continued to insist on maintaining her status as Secretary-General despite the resolutions of the EGM. As reported in the press Ms Josie Fernandez appears to have taken steps after the EGM to get the Registrar of Societies Selangor branch (RoS) to change the name of the Secretary-General of TI-M from Dr KM Loi to her name on 25 July 2013 at 10:29 am. Thereafter Ms Josie told the local press that she was still the Secretary-General of TI-M.
As this change of name of the Secretary-General was contrary to the decision of the EGM, the Executive Committee notified the RoS Selangor that this change of Secretary-General by Ms Josie was not authorised. Arising from this, the RoS Selangor invited both parties, namely Ms Josie and TI-M Exco represented by the President, Dato’ Akhbar Satar, Secretary-General, Dr KM Loi and Dr Muhammad Mohan (an EXCO member) to the RoS Selangor office on the morning of 30 July 2013.
After the meeting, the RoS decided that it would conduct an internal inquiry into this matter and on the RoS advice, the Executive Committee has filed a letter of objection in respect of Ms Josie’s actions.
The Executive Committee continues to maintain the position that all current Executive Committee members as listed above were validly elected and duly confirmed at the EGM on 20th July 2013 and the actions taken by Ms Josie as reported above were contrary to the Society’s Constitution.
Pending the outcome of the RoS’ inquiry on the matter, the Executive Committee will continue to function and operate and undertake the Society’s activities.
The Executive Committee also wishes to mention that the above line-up was endorsed by Transparency International Secretariat (TI-S) in Berlin, as conveyed by its Regional Director, Dr. Srirak Plipat in a letter dated 24th July 2013. We wish to reiterate that, throughout the entire period, TI-S Berlin has been closely monitoring the situation, and had at one point, also sought to mediate the dispute but the steps taken apparently were not successful in persuading Ms Josie to drop her claim to the Secretary-General position.
Issued by:
Dato’ Akhbar bin Satar, President
Transparency International Malaysia
