The Malaysian Insight

WHILE the movement-control order (MCO) to curb the Covid-19 pandemic may have brought out the best among generous Malaysians, others have also taken advantage of the economic fallout by preying on welfare homes.

Already nearing the end of their resources, some “volunteers” are also preying on their desperation.

They are demanding a commission while helping a welfare home with fund-raising, to which the organisation usually agrees out of desperate need for cash to keep operations going.

Persatuan Rumah Caring Kajang founder Wendy Yap said she has encountered several such attempts and will reject them.

Calling them “extortionists”, she said they were not so brazen in the past but will now state upfront that donations are to be split 70-30.

“We get 70% and they get 30% and they will only pay us our cut after half a year or even up to a year. They even want us to write them a letter to make the ‘collaboration’ official and legal,” said Yap.

“That is why I reject all of these ‘collaborations’. 

“But what’s worse is that some of these groups will still use your organisation’s pictures to solicit donations, even after you’ve rejected their deal.”

Reports in Chinese-language media last month also revealed the use of “fake” fund-raisers, which led to a sharp drop in donations to legitimate welfare homes and charities.

En Yuan Old Folk’s Home deputy secretary Jacky Bah told The Malaysian Insight that donations fell as much as 40% since the reports emerged.

“The effect was huge. People are now more cautious when donating. Some will even come to the home to make enquiries before donating. 

“These fraudsters give us a bad name and it’s like they’re kicking us while we’re down,” he said.

Bah said the home usually handpicks volunteers to help with soliciting donations.

“Our centre is near several universities and students often come to our centre for assignments. We observe and identify those who were good with senior citizens and ask them if they would like to volunteer.”

Bah said the home never uses agencies for fund-raising purposes and prefers to work with volunteers.

“We will keep looking for volunteer help (to raise funds). Whether the public believes us or not, that’s up to them. We are not going to abandon the young people who have joined to help us, as they genuinely want to help.”

Fund-raising through dinners and events are out of the question now due to the MCO, which bars large gatherings.

Yap, meanwhile, spoke of another type of charity fraudster.

“They would pay us a courtesy visit, bringing food or other gifts. And then, we would discover that such groups have been soliciting donations online in our name, but we have never received a sen from them,” said the social worker with 30 years’ experience.

She said charity organisations are all in need of help now, as all are feeling the Covid-19’s impact on the economy and the drop in donations.

But she urged the public to deal directly with the organisations they want to donate to and not use the services of agents or groups claiming to raise funds on the behalf of homes or charities.

Yap has also found other ways to raise funds apart from appealing for direct cash donations.

Her home, which cares for 61 senior citizens, collaborates with fishmongers to hold charity sales, with the proceeds going to the home.

Launched during the MCO, she said the centre was able to raise RM9,000 from the first charity fish sale, but slowed down from July onwards as restrictions were eased and more activities were allowed to resume.

Currently, she has the help of volunteers to set up stalls at markets as donation drop-off points where the public can contribute supplies.

“Any sort of contribution would be good, even if it’s just a couple of oranges or an egg, we would appreciate it as it all goes to the seniors at our home.” – September 11, 2020.