REGISTRATION OF SOCIETIES (Number of applications pending and reasons for delay)

Inche Ahmad Jabri Bin Mohammad Akib asked the Minister for Home Affairs to state the number of societies whose applications for registration are pending; for how long have they been pending; whether he is aware of any delay in their registration; and what are the reasons for such delay.

Mr Ong Pang Boon: Mr Speaker, Sir, up to 30th April, 1960, the number of applications for registration pending is 150. The period pending varies from one month to eleven months, and the reasons why these societies have not yet been registered are as follows:-

(a) Non-submission of form of particulars, rules and regulations, list of proposed office-bearers, as requested by the Registrar;

(b) Non-compliance with the request of the Registrar for amendment to rules and regulations found to be inadequate or not in order;

(c) Sponsors of mutual benefit societies were being advised that it would be better to register their societies under the Mutual Bene fit Organisations Bill when it comes into operation, rather than registering them now under the Societies Ordinance.