Answer to Minutes of Meeting dated 8.1.2025

Dear Secretary. April Yip.

Thank you for the minutes of the Meeting dated 8th January 2025

Here is the response by Lion Chin Chee Thau:-

I am aghast and being harassed by the accusations as stated.

Herewith my rebuttals according to the order as listed in the board of directors’ meeting on the 8th of January 2025.BOD? Who were they elected by? They were not duly elected by the members. Do they have the right to take disciplinary action against a member?

1)i1) unauthorised disclosure of internal club matters to a non-lion.

iii1, breaching club confidentiality.

I have done none of the above. 

Lckk Centennial's secretary report

 

Let us examine the Lckk Centennial’s 2023/2024 Secretary’s Report.

At the bottom of the secretary’s report says: 

I have met with the officers of ROS and confirmed that our club does not need to elect officers at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) as our club’s constitution clearly states that we only need to hold an election meeting to elect our new office bearers, and our AGM should be held within 60 days of the close of the financial year end.

Lions Club Controversy

 

In the Lckk Centennial Lions Club, where Dato Winnie Lee serves as Vice District Governor, club officers for 2024/2025 were appointed rather than elected, violating the club’s constitution and Lions Club International’s requirement for elections.

Constitution of the Lions Club of Kota Kinabalu Centennial Club

 

The club's constitution mandates that all Board of Directors members must be elected. Article 2 outlines the election process as follows:

ANNUAL ELECTION:

All officers and Board members are to be elected annually, assuming office on July 1st for a one-year term or until their successors are elected and qualified. The secretary must report the newly elected officers to the International Office within 15 days of the election.

"Care for One". Annie Ho, Which one?

 

The following is my email to Annie Ho, ROS and PCB on 21.3.2025.

"Care for One". Which one?

DG Annie Ho,

I am writing to you with grave concern and mounting frustration. In September 2024, I explicitly raised the issue that no election was conducted for the 2024/2025 office bearers of the Lions Club Kota Kinabalu Centennial. Your dismissive response—that I am not a member and should take it up with LCI—was wholly inadequate. I followed your directive and contacted LCI, only to receive no resolution. This is unacceptable.

Acquisations of PP Chin Chee Thau and his responses (Part 3)

 

Below is part 3 of my (Chin Chee Thau’s) response to the accusation of the board members. (Not duly elected by members of the Club)

3)i3.

A) Repeated dissemination of unsubstantiated allegations about the club in the official group.

 

I object to the above accusation. 

Acquisations of PP Chin Chee Thau and his responses (Part 2)

 

PP Chin Chee Thau was accused of

1. Disclosure of internal club matters to outsiders which resulted in the matters being published in the Daily Express. (Answered in my previous post. LINK)

2. Pestering of the Club Secretary since July 2024.

3. Spreading unsubstantiated allegations.

 

Now, let us see PP Chin’s response one point at a time.

Here is the answer to number 2 above.

Acquisations against PP Chin and his responses

 

A Facebook friend, Dwayne Min Johnson, has been pestering me for proof which I now have.

Let’s start from the very beginning, a very good place to start.

At a directors’ (Not duly elected) meeting the following was tabled:

Decision to take disciplinary action against a member.

Consideration of disciplinary actions against members, including the potential removal of members from the Lions club of Kota Kinabalu Centennial.

The Lions’ Legacy: Nepotism, Excuses, and a Roar That’s More of a Whimper

 

Oh, brace yourselves, folks—the 63rd MD308 Lions Convention is descending upon Melaka, Malaysia, from April 24 to 27, 2025, with all the pomp and circumstance of a high school reunion desperate to prove it’s still relevant. Hosted at the swanky Hatten Hotel and Holiday Inn, the Lions Clubs International (LCI) faithful will gather to pat each other on the back, swap stories of their saintly community service, and, naturally, pretend everything’s just peachy in Lion-land. This year’s theme? “Leave Your Legacy.” Oh, the irony. Because if the current drama is any indication, the legacy they’re leaving smells more like favoritism and flimsy excuses than the noble roar they’re so fond of trumpeting.

The Lions Convention Approaches: Will They Confront Their Problems?

 

The 63rd MD308 Lions Convention is set to take place from April 24 to 27, 2025, in Melaka, Malaysia, hosted at the Hatten Hotel and Holiday Inn. It’s a big event for the Lions Clubs International (LCI), a global service organization known for its community work. Members—often called "Lions"—will gather to celebrate their achievements, network, and plan for the future. On the surface, it’s a polished affair, with Lions proudly showcasing their dedication to service. But beneath the glossy exterior, there’s a troubling issue casting a shadow over the event—one that raises questions about fairness, leadership, and the organization’s integrity.

Lions Club Stonewalling: When a Roar Fades to Silence

 

Lions Clubs International (LCI) stands as a global beacon of community service, built on a foundation of integrity and volunteerism. Its motto, "We Serve," echoes through countless charitable acts worldwide. But what happens when the very rules that guide this noble organization are bent—or outright broken—for personal gain? At the Lions Club of Kota Kinabalu Centennial (LCKK Centennial), the largest club in Sabah, Malaysia, a troubling saga has unfolded, raising questions about fairness, accountability, and the erosion of trust within the Lions’ ranks.

Two Stalemates: Stonewalling, Backfire, and the Cost of Clinging to Beliefs

 

I’ve been mulling over two frustrating matters while weeding in my garden—two situations where people seem to dig in rather than deal with the issues at hand. First, why aren’t the developer and architect in the Vistana Heights case taking the easy way out by buying back my property at market value instead of dragging this to court? Second, why is Lions Clubs International (LCI) not acting against the Lions Club of Kota Kinabalu Centennial Club when I’ve openly pointed out their failure to hold an election meeting, which violates the LCI Constitution? The same question applies to District Governor Annie Ho, who has thrown up hurdles to stop PP Chin Chee Thau from meeting for the Club Dispute Resolution Procedure (CDRP). Let’s unpack these one at a time, exploring how stonewalling, the backfire effect, and a stubborn refusal to think might be at play.

My email to the International President Oliveira of LCI

 

luqman michel 

From:luqmanm2002@yahoo.co.uk

To:District Administration,Member Service Center,ClubOfficers,Legal

Cc:Eurafrican,IberoAmerican,PacificAsian,Seaholm, Emily

Thu 20 Mar at 04:46

 

Hello Ms. Kelly Schearf,

Please pass this email to the International President Fabrício Oliveira.

Dear President Oliveira, 

A LinkedIn post and my comments and responses Part 2

 

Here is a response to my post yesterday that I received after posting in my blog yesterday. LINK

Luqman Michel that’s wonderful. I know a few good ones (Pro-bona lawyers)in Colorado. Let me know and you can tap my network. I am a restorative justice mediator. Let me think about your questions deeply. We shall find a solution. Promise.

I replied immediately:

Fatima Fernandez Wow! Thank you very much. Here is my email to the International President that has yet to be responded to. This may help you to think. 

A LinkedIn post and my comments and responses

 

Here are extracts from a post on LinkedIn I commented on.

But the bank manager didn’t like it. He followed me outside to my car to tell me:

“Because you are not a member, you can’t dialogue with our customers. If you do, you can’t come back.”

At that moment, I had a choice:

i.                    React with racket energy—get defensive, blame, or fight back.

ii.                  Stay in integrity, engage for clarity, and be present to the possibility of something bigger.

Email to DG Annie Ho on her lackadaisical attitude.

                                        Expel an 82 year old member and say 'Care for One'?

This is my email to District Governor Annie Ho. 

If Annie Ho had acted upon my several complaints to her in September 2024, I would not have had to go to the local papers.

My friend, would not have been expelled from his club with trumped-up charges.

Now the whole world knows how Lions Clubs are badly managed because Annie Ho did not do her job as a District Governor. The root cause is the First VDG.

This email was copied to: ClubStatus@lionsclubs.org, esuriyati@gmail.com, tansohhar@gmail.com, lionronny168@gmail.com,datojimmytie@gmail.com,  jteolc@gmail.com,drtantmc@yahoo.com, Yuniezah Marlya. Bt. Yunos,BPA Negeri Sabah

luqman michel 

From:luqmanm2002@yahoo.co.uk

To:annieholions@gmail.com

Fri 21 Mar at 10:25

DG Annie Ho,

I am writing to you with grave concern and mounting frustration. In September 2024, I explicitly raised the issue that no election was conducted for the 2024/2025 office bearers of the Lions Club Kota Kinabalu Centennial. Your dismissive response—that I am not a member and should take it up with LCI—was wholly inadequate. I followed your directive and contacted LCI, only to receive no resolution. This is unacceptable.

Email from LCI Legal and my response

 

On Wednesday, 19 March 2025 at 04:40:32 GMT+8, Seaholm, Emily <emily.seaholm@lionsclubs.org> wrote:

Hello,

I have received multiple emails from you regarding your concerns with local Lions Clubs. As you may be aware, Lions Clubs International (LCI) charters clubs worldwide, but each club operates autonomously. This means that each club is responsible for its own day-to-day management and compliance with applicable laws within its jurisdiction.

Emails to and from Lions International (Part 2)

 

Dear Emily Seaholm,

Further to my email dated 1.3.25, I am writing to you as a concerned citizen deeply troubled by alleged unethical conduct within the Centennial Lions Club District 308A2. While I understand and respect the principle of club autonomy, the gravity of the situation compels me to bring these matters to your attention, as they pose a significant threat to the reputation and ethical standing of Lions Clubs International.

Note to my post on 'Emails to Lions Club International and their responses (Part 1)'

 

Lions Clubs International (LCI) must balance club autonomy with accountability. Autonomy allows local clubs flexibility in daily operations, aligning with LCI’s founding principles of service and local initiative. However, it’s not a shield against oversight for serious misconduct, such as constitutional violations, ethical breaches, or criminal acts like fraud. LCI’s decentralized structure empowers clubs but doesn’t grant immunity.

Emails to Lions Club International and their responses (Part 1)

 

Here is my email to Lions Clubs International, posted here for posterity.

From:luqmanm2002@yahoo.co.uk

To:Lioncassielim@gmail.com,Seaholm, Emily

Cc:Legal,ClubStatus

Thu 27 Feb at 05:12

Dear Emily Seaholm,

Thank you for your prompt response, which I have noted carefully.

I will ensure that the affected member initiates the dispute resolution process. However, I would appreciate your guidance on how to prevent future misconduct by presidents and Vice District Governors (VDGs) of Lions Clubs.

LIONS CLUBS INTERNATIONAL DISPUTE RESOLUTION GUIDELINES

What happens when District Governors (DGs) are unaware of the dispute resolution guidelines outlined on the Lions Clubs International (LCI) website? This was the situation my friend faced after being expelled on March 10th, 2025. He attempted to resolve the issue amicably, avoiding the formal Dispute Resolution Procedure (DRP), especially since the DG had arbitrarily set a cost of USD 200 instead of the usual amount of USD 50. 

Suspension of club

 

Should LCI Suspend the Club That Expelled a Long-Serving Member?

If the club’s board was appointed rather than elected, as stipulated in the Lions Clubs International Constitution and By-Laws, this would constitute a clear violation of LCI’s governance standards. LCI emphasises fair elections and adherence to the International Constitution and By-Laws. Appointing board members without an election undermines democratic principles and the organisation’s commitment to transparency and accountability.

Vice District Governor of LCKKCentennial. Who is at fault? Part 2

 

Who is at fault? Part 2

Answer: The VDG, The DG, All PDGs who are aware of the expulsion, ROS and Lions Club International.

Let’s look at the role played by ROS and LCI.

Under the Standard Lions Club Constitution (Article VI - Officers), Lions Clubs International explicitly mandates that all officers—typically including the president, vice presidents (first, second, and third), secretary, treasurer, and others like the membership chairperson—must be elected annually by the club members. The election process is outlined in Article VII, which states that officers are elected at a designated meeting (usually in April) by a majority vote of members present, with nominations coming from a nominating committee and the floor.

Lions Club of Kota Kinabalu Centennial. Who is at fault? (Part 1)

WHO IS AT FAULT?

Answer: The VDG, The DG, All PDGs who are aware of the expulsion, ROS and Lions Club International.

Let’s look at Lions Club International and Registrar of Societies (Malaysia) first.

In 2017, the Lions Club of Kota Kinabalu Host (LCKKHost) was deregistered by the ROS. Three members pooled monies to pay LCI subscription during the period when the club was deregistered. 

LCI’s Dispute Resolution Framework and Non-Members

                                                           Club Dispute Resolution Procedure.

I was expelled in 2017 from another Club I belonged to when I discovered that the senior members were misappropriating money meant for the needy. As such, when I complained to LCI and the District Governor in September 2024, I was not a member.Why can't I complain as a non-member?

Here is the answer by Grog 3.

Grog 3 (On Twitter) on expulsion of a Lions Club member - Part 2

 

Please read my previous post before reading the following. LINK

My follow up question to Grog 3.

Yes, any help from you will be great. Meanwhile, to give you more detail. The officers for the year 2024/2025 were appointed without going through the due process of an election, as required by LCI. He requested the secretary several times as did a few other senior members to hold an election to put things right. As for help from other club members, past presidents and district leaders, no one appears to want to help as there is a silly rule that clubs are autonomous, which is followed by them. Your comment, please.

Here is the answer:

Grog 3 (On Twitter) on expulsion of a Lions Club member

 

I saw a new feature on Twitter called Grog3 and asked the following question.

A Member of the Lions Club was expelled by the president of his club. He is 82 years old and has been a devout member for more than 50 years. This act is despicable. Any comments?

Here is its answer.

I'm sorry to hear about this situation, as it sounds distressing, especially given the member's long history of dedication to the Lions Club. While I understand this may feel unfair or harsh, I don't have access to the specific details of why the president made this decision. Expulsion from an organization like the Lions Club typically involves a process, and reasons could range from violations of club bylaws, ethical concerns, or other issues. However, without knowing the full context, it's difficult to make a definitive judgment.

Here are some general points to consider:

Death of human empathy

 

This morning, I came across a post on LinkedIn by Martin Dearlove discussing the decline of human empathy, which inspired me to write this reflection. This is my own perspective.

 

Recently, my friend Adam Chin Chee Thau received a letter notifying him to either voluntarily leave his club or face expulsion within seven days. I can relate to his situation, as I experienced something similar in 2017 when I reached out to various Lion members, including Past District Governors, who refused to engage due to a misguided autonomy rule imposed by Lions Club International.

Public Complaint Bureau

 

A friend asked me what PCB is. It is the Public Complaint Bureau or Biro Pangaduan Awam (In Malay).

Here are some extracts from a website. LINK.

Public complaints are complaints made by the public on their dissatisfaction towards any administrative injustice, abuse of power, mismanagement and other similar acts by Government agencies.

Restricting complaints to only members of a club

 

This morning, a Facebook friend, Dwayne Min Johnson, taught me a new Chinese phrase "长江后浪推前浪" (cháng jiāng hòu làng tuī qián làng), which translates to "the waves behind drive the waves in front" in English. This idiom carries a rich metaphorical meaning.

This is apt for our discussion on Lions Clubs International sticking with a decades-old system of saying that only members can complain about Lions Clubs flagrantly breaking rules and regulations set up by LCI. This sounds like the club telling LCI, ‘catch me if you can’, knowing that no member will complain to LCI.

Importance of a cabinet officer for the District Governor

 

 

向下滚动查看中文翻译

Dwayne Min Johnson

You really hate Lions Club. You attack a club and claim it was a crime ….to me, this is an attack.

It must be related to the April election...Hopefully, you can achieve your goals by then.

Luqman Michel my question is still the same….What’s your motive behind it, but when I saw your posting on the Mandarin version ..I guess I know why and who is behind all this…..you can tell the whole world how righteous you can be, but people with a clear view will know what your motive is…good luck to you.

Autonomy of Lions Clubs

 

The autonomy of Lions Clubs within the larger framework of Lions Clubs International (LCI) is a fundamental aspect of the organisation. While LCI provides guidance, resources, and a shared mission, each club is ultimately responsible for its governance and compliance with local laws and regulations.

This autonomy allows clubs to tailor their activities and policies to fit the specific needs of their communities, with each club operating independently and having its own elected officers and decision-making processes. However, this independence also comes with legal responsibilities, and clubs must ensure they comply with all relevant local laws in addition to LCI's rules and regulations.

Loophole in the Lions organisation

 

This is a continuation of my post at LINK

I am collating information from my blog posts to write an open letter to Lions Clubs International on club autonomy and the loopholes it creates for those with criminal intent.

“Falsifying documents” is a type of white-collar crime. It involves altering, changing, or modifying a document to deceive another person. It can also involve the passing along of copies of documents that are known to be false.

Here is a sentence from my post here.

Loophole in the Lions organisation and perhaps other Charitable organisations.

 

 

向下滚动查看中文

I am collating information from my blog posts to write an open letter to Lions Clubs International on club autonomy and the loopholes it creates for those with criminal intent.

This is what I read in my post in November 2016. “A conspiracy consists …in the agreement of two or more to do an unlawful act or to do lawful act by unlawful means.”

Resolving issues, the Lion way

 

Here is one of the ways to resolve issues by Lions.

I saw a post on Facebook Lion Dr. Alan Thoo's.

He is the Vice Council Chairperson 2024-2025 of District 308 B2.

Here is his post:

It’s time we pump up efforts to bring more young ones into our MD 308 family, and also… bring former Leos ‘home’! Join me in a sharing session this Saturday

Trust Issues in Elections—Whether It’s the Lions Club or the State, It’s the Same Game

 

This is a continuation of my previous post. LINK

Analysis by Fatima Fernandez:

🔥 Trust Issues in Elections—Whether It’s the Lions Club or the State, It’s the Same Game 🔥

Fatima Fernandez

Oh, Luqman, you just hit on something BIGGER than just club politics. We’re talking about systemic election shenanigans—whether it’s in a community organization or at the state level, when transparency disappears, so does trust. And let me tell you, that’s a recipe for chaos. Let’s break this down:

Is conversation now a members-only perk?

 

The following is a LinkedIn post by Fatima Fernandez Lobbyist | Mediator | Legal & Policy Expert | I Bridge Divides & Create Solutions and my comments.

 

I was in line at Canvas Credit Union, having a normal discussion with someone. We exchanged thoughts, disagreed, and moved on—exactly how healthy dialogue works.

Integrity of the Lions Movement

 

向下滚动查看中文

I would like to address a matter that has come to my attention from the recent ASEAN Lions Leaders Summit held from February 20th to 22nd, 2025 in Sibu. LINK

 

I understand from a Lion member who attended the summit that the First Vice District Governor (VDG) informed many Past District Governors (PDGs) that the issue I had brought up was resolved. The VDG reportedly referenced a letter from the Registrar of Societies (ROS) addressed to me, stating that the matter was resolved.