THE Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) said the complaints lodged against it with the Registrar of Societies were by disgruntled members who did not furnish evidence.
President Tan Kok Liang said MATTA consulted its lawyers and responded to RoS on December 4, questioning why alleged breaches from four years ago were raised only recently.
“We take complaints by our members very seriously and have gone to great lengths to ensure that we replied to RoS with as much detail as possible in order to facilitate a smooth review.
“One of the alleged breaches occurred in 2015, when we are now in the 2019-2021 term of the MATTA executive council, moving into 2020. Why is the issue being brought up only now?” he said in a statement today.
RoS has given MATTA 30 days to explain why its registration should not be revoked, just as the country gears up for Visit Malaysia Year 2020.
This comes after RoS found irregularities in MATTA’s annual general meeting this year.
The umbrella body for local tour and travel groups now faces the risk of deregisteration.
In a letter of demand seen by The Malaysian Insight, RoS accuses MATTA of breaching nine clauses of its own constitution.
Among the alleged breaches are allowing members whose licences have expired to attend the AGM on July 13, allowing its honorary secretary-general to assume his duties when his contract has ended, and approving the Selangor chapter’s financial statement at the meeting.
MATTA CEO Phua Tai Neng said the gathering was held based on procedures and processes in place since 2003.
“MATTA has always used an independent technology solutions company to register delegates for its AGM, and an independent auditing company to manage the whole election process, including the distribution of ballot papers and counting of votes.
“There has never been any issue or complaint by any member up till now.”
Tan, who was re-elected as president for another term along with his team, secured an overwhelming victory at this year’s gathering. – December 16, 2019.