There are still many who need donations, and there are many institutions that are still valid in distributing donationsBandung (ANTARA) - West Java's government urged the Aksi Cepat Tanggap (ACT) Foundation to close its provincial office after the Social Affairs Ministry revoked its permit to collect money or goods following alleged violations by the foundation's management.
"From the start, the government has urged all regional heads to close the ACT offices in their respective areas. I urge the ACT offices to close immediately. I am worried if something wrong will happen," Acting Head of West Java Governor Uu Ruzhanul Ulum noted here, Thursday.
After attending the National Family Day commemoration event at the West Hall of Gedung Sate, Ulum stated that the West Java provincial government will instruct the relevant agencies to close the ACT Office in the West Java region.
"If financing causes jealousy and other things, then I request for all ACT branches in West Java to close their offices," Ulum stated.
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He also reminded the public to not distribute donations through ACT until clarity was gained over the case pertaining to the alleged funding violation by the ACT management.
"There are still many who need donations, and there are many institutions that are still valid in distributing donations," he remarked.
He suggested West Java's residents looking to make donations to channel them through the National Amil Zakat Agency (Baznas).
"Baznas is a government agency that is accountable and trusted. People can also donate to their nearest nursing homes, Islamic boarding schools, and others," Ulum revealed.
On July 6, the Social Affairs Ministry had revoked ACT's permit to collect funds for charity in connection with suspected violations in the organization unearthed during an investigation.
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ACT had violated the government's regulation on Article 6, Par. 1 of Government Regulation No. 29 of 1980 that allowed organizations collecting funds and goods for philanthropic purposes to utilize only up to 10 percent of the funds and goods collected for operational purposes.
In addition, the operational funds should not be drawn from funds and goods collection intended for disaster relief purposes.
Meanwhile, President Director of ACT Ibnu Khajar remarked that the organization, on average, used up to 13.7 percent of the funds collected from residents for operational purposes, which surpassed the 10-percent limit designated by the regulation.
Earlier, the ministry had summoned executives of ACT, including Khajar and organization directors, to clarify its activities with regard to information circulating on it in public.
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Translator: Ajat Sudrajat, Resinta S
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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