Open letter to Lions Club International

 

3.1.2021

Dear sirs,

I refer to the several emails I have sent to you since December 2016.

In January 2017 David Kingsbury of Legal Division of Lions International said in his email to me that ‘all Lions clubs are autonomous, meaning each club is responsible for day to day operations, including compliance with local laws.’

 

The Lions Club of Kota Kinabalu Host did not comply with the local laws in that they formed an illegal Past Presidents Council that was not registered with the Registry of Societies. For this reason, and only for this reason, the club was deregistered for a little more than one year.

My complaints to ROS on the misappropriation of funds meant for the needy was promised to be investigated by them and has yet to be investigated. I will deal with them on this soon.

The excuse that all clubs are autonomous was also used by the District Governor whom you had asked to settle my complaint which you said can be resolved under Club Dispute Resolution Procedure (CDRP).

I complained to the District Governor, at that time, DG Eve Wong and handed over my complaint letter and supporting documents together with the requisite money for the Dispute resolution. The documents and money were handed over to DG Eve Wong in the presence of the president of Lions Club of Kota Kinabalu City Park President Chong Tshen Vui. DG eve Wong said that she will collect the money subsequently but never did.

The fact that 3 bank accounts were opened in the name of the Lions Club of Kota Kinabalu Host and operated by the Past Presidents’ Council has now been officially recorded in the minutes of the Board of Directors.

You were requested by me to have this checked and investigated but neither you nor the DG of District 308A2 ever did. The DG said that this is a club matter.

I had asked you that if this is a club matter then what is there to prevent all other clubs around the world to have secret bank accounts and siphon out money meant for the needy?

You had also said that I am not a Lions member and therefore have no rights to complain. How ridiculous a statement to make! This is probably why LCKKHost decided to fabricate excuses to expel me.

I will write on more anomalies but let us settle them one at a time.

Your lackadaisical attitude in dealing with this matter since 2016 is unbecoming of a charitable origanisation.

I have copied extracts of the 3^rd BOD’s meetings for 2017/2018 where only two bank accounts were revealed as in all BOD’s meetings prior to the 3^rd BOD’s meeting.

I have also copied extracts of the 4^th and 7^th BOD’s meetings where the Treasurer’s reports show all the 5 bank accounts including the 3 secret bank accounts + a fixed deposit account that were never presented to the BOD’s until then.

The president during this year was Betty Epin.

My question to you is how was the money in the 3 bank accounts utilised over more than 10 years?

Who authorized these payments?

I remind you of the money used from these accounts for purchase of air conditioners for the club building and the renovation works to the building.

Here are the extracts mentioned above:

Extract of Treasurer’s Report from 3^rd BOD’s meeting

Item 7 – Treasurer’s Report

7.1 PP Joseph Chai reported on behalf of Treasurer who was outstation.

As of end of August, 2017, the balance of Administrative Account was RM 8,093.77 and that of Project Account was RM 808.64

Extract of Treasurer’s Report from the 4^th BOD’s meeting

7. Treasurer’s Report

7.1 Club Treasurer Ln Jessie Goh reported that as of end September, 2017, the balance of Club’s Administrative Account was RM 4108.43 and that of ProjectAccount was RM948.24

7.2 PP Council Treasurer, PP Joseph Chai reported as follows: -

A) As of end of September, 2017, KK Host Special Purpose Account was Rm 25725.97;

b) Project Account was Rm 19,270.59

c) Admin (Premises) Account was Rm763.19

d) Fixed Deposit was Rm 69,214.00

Extracts of Treasurer’s Report from the 7th BOD’s meeting

7. Treasurer’s Report

7.1 President reported on behalf of club treasurer, Ln Jessie Goh.

As of end of December,2017, the balances were as follows: -

a)Club’s Administrative account – Rm15,327.53

b)Project Account – Rm74.64

7.2 PPC Treasurer, PP Joseph Chai reported that at the end of December, 2017, the balances were as follows: -

a. Special Purpose Account at Alliance Bank Rm 17,023.53

b. Admin Account (Premises) at Hong Leong Bank Rm372.61

c. Project Account (Asrama) Rm 24,673.63

d. Fixed Deposot account Rm 69,213.65

Note: Most of the members are unaware of the Past Presidents Council’s account. Perhaps my Face book friend, Datuk Dr. Muthusamy (JP) who is one of the PP council members could explain who started these accounts and for what purpose and why they were not made known to other members.