Use of SWAMI Home for PAP event was on 'commercial terms'

[UPDATED 17 August 10pm: Adds statements from MHA, SWAMI Home, Sembawang GRC]

The Sunshine Welfare Action Mission (SWAMI) has been advised to ensure 'strict adherence’ to its constitution, said a Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) spokesperson.

The Registry of Societies (ROS), which falls under MHA, received a report from blogger Ravi Philemon who said the Home contravened its constitution by allowing the People’s Action Party (PAP) to hold a press conference on its premises on 14 August to unveil its candidates for Sembawang GRC.

Philemon, who has worked in voluntary welfare organisations (VWOs), wrote on his blog that the constitutions of most VWOs, including SWAMI Home, contain clauses that state such organisations should not take part in political activities or allow their premises to be used for such purposes. Philemon is also a member of the Singapore People’s Party.

In response to media queries on Monday evening, MHA acknowleged the report. It said, "The Sunshine Welfare Action Mission (SWAMI) is a registered society.  It is governed by its constitution on what activities are permissible and what are not.  It is obliged to adhere to its constitution. SWAMI was advised by the Registry of Societies on 17 August 2015 to ensure strict adherence to its constitution."

Low Chang Yee, President of Swami Home also admitted that they were unaware of this provision in their constitution. In a statement, Low explained that the use of the premises was on commercial terms. "The local MPs wanted to rent our premises for their event. We agreed as their rental of our premises on commercial terms was helpful for us," he said.

"We have never used any of our funds to help any political party. The funds we raised from rental of our premises are used to help us run the Swami Nursing Home and our other charitable causes.

Yahoo Singapore understands that the Home rents out its premises for private functions as well.

"We did not check our constitution at the time we rented our premises but now we have been informed and are aware of this provision in our Constitution,” said Low. Clause 22.6 of the constitution states, “The Society shall not indulge in any political activity or allow its funds and/or premises to be used for political purposes.”

In response to media queries, the team from Sembawang GRC acknowledged that a report was made against the Home and also explained why the venue was chosen: "We understand that a report has been made against a local VWO. We had rented the premises on purely commercial terms, partly to support this VWO and partly because we felt it was an accessible place and had sufficient space to accommodate reporters. We had not checked the VWO's constitution. However, we have nothing but the highest regard for the work done by this VWO and will continue to support it in any way we can.”

The Home has received government grants since 2011. In 2013, the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth said in a letter to the Straits Times Forum page that members of parliament are not to exploit NGOs and VWOs for political purposes.