COC finds financial irregularities at Temple
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COC finds financial irregularities at Sri Siva Krishna Temple
SINGAPORE : The Commissioner of Charities (COC) has found financial irregularities and serious lapses in the governance and management of the Sri Siva Krishna Temple at Marsiling Rise.
This follows its inquiry into the temple early this year.
The COC has also lodged a report with the Commercial Affairs Department.
Responding to media queries, police confirmed that a report on financial irregularities found at Sri Siva Krishna Temple was received from the COC on 3 June 2010.
A police spokesperson said: "The Commercial Affairs Department has commenced investigations into the report. It is inappropriate for us to comment further at this juncture as investigations are on-going."
The red flag was raised at the Sri Siva Krishna temple in July last year, when the Hindu Endowment Board (HEB) expressed its concerns to the Community Development, Youth and Sports Ministry.
In February, the COC launched its inquiry.
The findings pointed to evidence of serious lapses in governance and book-keeping.
Among them are suspected forgery of payment vouchers and misappropriation of the temple's funds.
These include payments purported to have been made but not received by the vendor, donations made to the temple but not accounted for in the temple's accounting records, as well as missing donation receipt books.
The transactions took place between January 2007 and July 2008 before the Protem Committee, set up by HEB, took charge of the financial affairs of the temple.
The COC also found serious lapses in the governance and management of the temple between January 2007 and July 2008.
While there was a Management Committee, the temple was also in the sole control of then president, A Sivalingam.
The COC said there was a severe lack of segregation of duties, and checks and balances.
For example, Mr Sivalingam had sole custody of the donation monies and gold received by the temple.
He also maintained the accounting records, approved contracts/purchases and disbursed cash/cheques on behalf of the temple. Most of the decisions of the temple were made by him or with his acquiescence.
The inquiry also revealed the lack of proper controls over the revenue collection and receipt books.
The COC has initiated action to remove Mr Sivalingam as a charity trustee.
The COC noted that a new Management Committee was elected at the temple's annual general meeting held in April 2010.
Mr A Sivalingam had voluntarily resigned from the office of the President on 6 May 2010. However, he was subsequently elected as the temple's advisor and chief executive officer with effect from 22 May 2010.
Given the inquiry findings of mismanagement in the administration of the temple during his tenure as the president, the COC is concerned with his continued involvement in the temple's affairs.
Any representation regarding COC's intention to remove Mr Sivalingam as a charity trustee should be submitted by 22 August 2010 via [email protected] or by post to the Office of the Commissioner of Charities at 512 Thomson Road MCYS Building Singapore 298136.
The temple's annual income for FY2007 was S$350,000 - mainly from donations. Its net asset is valued at S$2.7 million.- CNA/ms
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Wads wrong with religion nowadays?
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Originally posted by ~PEPPER~:
Wads wrong with religion nowadays?
not 'nowadays'. It's happened long time ago, it's now time for the truth to be out..
karma
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15 committee members of Sri Siva Krishna Temple to help with investigations
SINGAPORE: Channel NewsAsia has learnt that 15 committee members of the Sri Siva Krishna Temple have been called up to help with investigations.
A committee member said she received the letter which was sent to 14 others from the authorities on Thursday.
The Commissioner of Charities (COC) said on Thursday that it found financial irregularities and serious lapses in the temple's governance and management, following an inquiry.
It then lodged a report with the Commercial Affairs Department in June.
Among its findings, the COC took issue with then President A Sivalingam - now the temple's adviser and chief executive officer - effectively having sole control of the temple in 2007 and 2008.
The COC is seeking to remove him as a charity trustee.
When contacted, a committee member who did not want to be identified, spoke positively of Mr Sivalingam's efforts in growing the temple over the last 30 to 50 years.
- CNA/vm
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a new accounting certification to be accredited into the mainstream....a new lucrative niche for accounting professionals..
Certified Religious Accountants (Level I, II, III)
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Originally posted by dangerboi:
not 'nowadays'. It's happened long time ago, it's now time for the truth to be out..
karma
ya...thousands of yrs ago like that already.....but ppl still believe them hahhah -
Last time CHC kena, This time round this temple is the one that I went past often while joyriding in Woodlands.