Adjournment motion on helping our charities make a global impact

Singapore can and should have charities focusing on its communities as well as some focusing on communities outside of the country, said MP Louis Ng. In his adjournment motion in Parliament on Wednesday (Feb 5), he urged the government to allow the registration of charities whose purpose is not beneficial wholly or substantially to the communities in Singapore. He also proposed streamlining the process of applying for a permit to raise funds for foreign charitable purposes. The government should waive the 80-20 fundraising rule for all humanitarian efforts and not just on a case-by-case basis, he added. Mr Ng stressed the need to remember that there is no “us” or “them” but “one human family connected in ways we sometimes forget”. Responding, Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Culture, Community and Youth Eric Chua said the key lies in striking a balance between allowing selected charities more flexibility to do overseas work and ensuring that the vast majority of Singapore’s charities focus on meeting local needs. He pointed out that the regulatory framework is not so rigid that Singapore is unable to work towards being a philanthropic hub and recognising the benefits of its local charities in overseas charitable work. On the 80-20 fundraising rule, Mr Chua said it aims to ensure that donations from the public are used primarily to benefit locals.