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.
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 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 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.
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.
Please pass this email to the International President Fabrício Oliveira.
Dear President Oliveira,
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.”
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
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:
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.
The following was a reminder to the International Director of Lions in September 2024.
This is for posterity to inform Lions that I did all I could to nip this problem in the bud.
I pray this email finds you in good health and cheer.
I sent off the following to the Lions committee members and let us see if they would do anything.
esuriyati@gmail.com,tansohhar@gmail.com, lionronny168@gmail.com,datojimmytie@gmail.com,
jteolc@gmail.com,drtantmc@yahoo.com,judyk.peg@gmail.com, irenetansg@hotmail.com
and 36 others.
Dear Sir,
I am writing to raise a concerning issue regarding the recent actions taken by the current Board of Directors (BOD) of the Centennial Lions Club of Kota Kinabalu.
In 2017 I complained about my former Club, Lions Club of Kota Kinabalu host, which had secret bank accounts unknown to most members and directors of the club. It also altered the minutes of meetings. Lion members and LCI did not address the problem and that club was finally de-registered.
Now, another club, The Centennial Lions Club of Kota Kinabalu has issued a notice of expulsion to a senior member who tried to help by asking relevant questions to members of the club.
中文翻译见下文
Yesterday, on January 18, 2025, I was invited to attend a lunch meeting at EWest Restaurant to discuss the issues I had previously raised with the Registrar of Societies (ROS).
This was the first time I had met PDG (Past District Governor) Lawrence Ting since our last encounter in 2015 or 2016, when he was the District Governor (DG). The meeting was also attended by Datuk Margareth Lim, Horace Ho Toh Chee, and Past President Chin Chee Thau.
I wrote emails and several Facebook messages to several Lion Dignitaries. Only one Past District Governor (PDG) replied. The following is what she said:
I am not obliged to answer you. As PDG we are not duty-bound to answer or give opinions on questions raised by you. You have your platform to question.
If this is the attitude of PDGs, what can we expect from ordinary members of the Lion fraternity?
This is my email to ROS Headoffice.
From:luqmanm2002@yahoo.co.uk
To:kpjppm@ros.gov.my,wzainul@ros.gov.my
Wed 15 Jan at 04:50
Dear Sir,
This is a follow-up to my email dated 9.1.25 attached below.
In December I requested the investigation’s results and was informed that the matter had been resolved and a Notice 14 (2) had been issued to the Club.
Upon checking with the members complaining, I was informed that no election meeting was held to rectify the situation.
On Thursday, 9 January 2025 at 03:59:03 GMT+8, luqman michel <luqmanm2002@yahoo.co.uk> wrote:
Dear Puan Yuniezah,
The dispute among the members has yet to be resolved.
The president of the Centennial Lions Club believes that the office bearers have been duly elected but not by many of the members.
I have included here the amendment to the Societies Act 1966.
16. (1) If the Registrar is of the opinion that a dispute has occurred among the members or office-bearers of a registered society as a result of which the Registrar is not satisfied of the identity of the persons who have been properly constituted as office-bearers of the society, the Registrar may serve notice on the society requiring the society, within one month of the service of such notice, to produce to him evidence of the settlement of any such dispute and of the proper appointment of the lawful office-bearers of the society or of the institution of proceedings for the settlement of such dispute.
(2) If any such notice as is provided in subsection (1) is not complied with to the satisfaction of the Registrar within the period of one month or any extension thereof allowed by the Registrar, the Registrar may take steps to cancel the registration of the society under section 13.
Thank you and kind regards,
Luqman Michel