The Commissioner of Charities has suspended all charitable fund-raising appeals done by the organisation known as Crisis Centre (Singapore) (CCS).

The suspension will last for six months with effect from Aug. 15.

CCS was set up in Jan. 2018 and granted charity status in May 2018. It aims to provide a transitional shelter for homeless men, or men at risk of becoming homeless.

According to a press release from the Ministry of Culture, Community, Youth and Sports:

"During the suspension period, the Charity can continue with its daily operations. This order serves to protect the public while investigations into the Charity’s fund-raising activities are ongoing."

Serious concerns raised about CCS

The Commissioner, Ang Hak Seng, added:

"We have received feedback about the fund-raising appeals conducted by the Charity. Investigations to date have raised serious concerns about the Charity’s governance, record-keeping practices and ability to be accountable to its donors.

Therefore, I am satisfied that there are grounds to exercise my powers under the Charities Act to suspend the conduct of fund-raising appeals by the Charity during the stated period, pending further investigations into the concerned appeals, in order to safeguard the public interest."

However, the press release did not elaborate on the specific nature of these concerns.

Members of the public are encouraged to be discerning, find out more about the charity, and make a police report if they believe a scam is being perpetrated.

CCS volunteers appeared to mock the elderly and people with disabilities

Back in Aug. 2018, videos of CCS volunteers were shared online.

In the videos, the youths were speaking and moving in an exaggerated manner, as if to mock elderly people and people with disabilities.

CCS said they do not condone such behaviour, and reprimanded and suspended those involved.

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Top image from Crisis Centre (Singapore)'s Facebook page.