Given the nonsense going on with respect to NGOs and foreign funding, I am glad IDEAS has come up with something:<\/p>\n
Press Statement on foreign funding for Malaysian entities<\/p>\n
Barisan Nasional MPs should not be so paranoid about the incoming of\u00a0foreign funds to support NGOs in Malaysia. After all, Barisan Nasional\u00a0parties also receive American support, with the latest one being just\u00a0last weekend at a luxurious hotel in Kuala Lumpur. This is not new\u00a0because, in fact, Barisan Nasional leaders have been receiving foreign\u00a0support too for many years.<\/p>\n
And many bodies close to the government have also received foreign\u00a0funding. For example, I have in front of me evidence that a think tank\u00a0close to the government receives support from a foundation linked to a\u00a0Christian Democratic party from abroad.<\/p>\n
Foreign funding is a norm for many NGOs. Just like the government is\u00a0working hard to bring in foreign investment, we too work hard to\u00a0attract foreign funds to help grow the country. Surely the foreign\u00a0support received by Barisan Nasional parties last weekend is not meant\u00a0to weaken but to strengthen the institutions of government. These\u00a0support should be cherished, not condemned.<\/p>\n