The NKF debacle

Looking beyond the money, the perks, the expensive bathroom fixtures and the fleet of cars, what really strikes me about the whole NKF debacle is how bad the PR is.

I can't believe that the NKF's first response to this incident is not to issue an apology, or at least a reassurance to its donors and patients, but is instead to take out a full page advert in Today to ask for support for its charity show tonight. After all the revelations about how public money is spent at the NKF, these people still want to issue a plea for continued donations? Do they really expect that the public will continue to give, especially now?

Mr T.T Durai is right in saying that he has done nothing wrong. In the eyes of the law he hasn't. But as a head of the largest charity in Singapore, surely he must know that the court of public opinion is what matters. And in the eyes of the public, he has been less than honest in stating the NKF's need for funds, and the NKF has not been transparent in the way that it spends public money.

His defence that everything was approved by the board of directors also calls into question their management of the NKF. Aren't they there to provide oversight? Just what are they doing then? On what basis did they decide to pay Mr Durai a 12 month peformance bonus? And if Mr Durai is so well paid, how much are the directors' renumeration packages?

Mrs Goh Chock Tong, patron of the NKF, says that $600,000 is "peanuts" when you have reserves of more than $200 million. I beg to differ. It is not "peanuts" when this money comes from the goodwill of the people. It is not "peanuts" when in donating this money, the public expects it to but put to good use, to help save lives. And if it was indeed, "peanuts", then why be so secretive about it? The $200 million comes from the goodwill of average, hardworking Singaporeans. They should be the ones who decide if it is, indeed "peanuts".

The NKF has called on the public not to stop donations because good work is indeed being done, patients are being treated, and lives are being saved.

Until steps are taken to address the lack of transparency with which the NKF operates, there is no way for us to know if the money we are donating is indeed put to good use. The patients should not suffer if they have $200 million in reserves. There is no guarantee that the money we are giving is actually going to the patients, so how exactly will they suffer? Until steps are taken to reassure the public and to guarantee meanigful use of public money, there is no reason for the public to continue with their donations. Sure, the NKF's reserves will have to be drawn upon, but this can be built up again, gradually, over time, with proper accountablilty and management.

Until then, give your money to the Kidney Dialysis Foundation, another charitable organisation in Singapore which helps sufferers of kidney disease.

Mr T.T Durai and the NKF's perceived lack of wrongdoing on their part should be corrected.