> Selangor seeks to overturn Balkis dissolution

Selangor is challenging the Registrar of Societies' (ROS) decision to dissolve the scandal-hit Balkis and wants it restored.

Lawyers for the state government have asked the ROS to rescind the charity's dissolution that was made by its last committee, comprising wives of the former Barisan Nasional administration.

The Pakatan Rakyat government said the dissolution of Balkis or the Wives of Selangor Elected Representatives Charity Organisation had contravened the Societies Act 1966 and was unlawful.

The ROS had ignored a previous application opposing the dissolution.

The state is also seeking to recover all assets and cash amounting to almost RM10 million which has been handed to the Insolvency Department.

At a public inquiry on March 25, a state watchdog investigating the charity was informed that the ROS had dissolved it without the knowledge of the Selangor government on Feb 11 this year.

During the seven-day inquiry the Select Committee for Competency, Accountability and Transparency or Selcat discovered Balkis had used millions of ringgit from state subsidiaries for less than charitable purposes.

This included paid overseas holidays, extravagant gifts for office bearer and questionable events including luxurious dinners.

Despite damning evidence against former officer bearers, no action has yet been taken by the authorities - The Malaysian Insider.