This will allow the home to issue tax-deductible receipts to donors

Jun 29, 2007
AsiaOne

The Commissioner of Charities (COC) has granted a temporary 3-month extension of the IPC (Institution of Public Character) status to St John's Home for Elderly Persons from tomorrow to Sept 30.

The Home's current IPC status will expire on 30 June 2007.

The 3-month extension of the IPC status will allow the Home to issue tax-deductible receipts for donations received by the Home to finance and sustain its operations, said a statement from the COC today.

During this period, the National Council of Social Service (NCSS) will be responsible for supervising the daily finance and accounting functions of the Home, in particular the collection and use of the donations.

Meanwhile, the probe into the governance and financial control systems at the Home is still ongoing.

A decision on the renewal of the IPC status of the Home after Sept 30 will be made after the COC has completed its Inquiry and is satisfied that proper controls and processes are in place and implemented at the Home.

In all, $3.88 million had been found missing from the home's bank accounts and the police are investigating. The home's superintendent, Benjamin Ho, 60, is also missing. It is believed that signatures on cheques may have been forged.

» Have your say on this and other issues in our forum pages