The NKF Controversy

I can’t understand how immature and childish people are. After the whole NKF fiasco erupted, many of my camp mates are calling in to withdraw payment and support for the NKF. They are upset and angry with the management of NKF especially a certain Indian guy who heads the organisation. But is it reasonable for us to be so judgemental and make such a rash act? Did we evaluate the case fairly taking into consideration both side of the arguments? Who are we to play God and start judging the NKF and Mr TT Durai?

Even if we are convinced that the NKF’s management is screwed up, the CEO is grossly overpaid, the necessity for such expensive gold plate fittings in the CEO’s toilet, his intentional or unintentional undeclared involvement from other directorship, the lack of information and transparency of the total amount of reserves in its bank account, shouldn’t we at least give the organisation a chance to redeem itself?

Why not we wait for another month and see whether is there any change in the top management? Is it truly necessary for us to withdraw our contributions immediately? What’s the big rush its not like as if the organisation will abscond with our money. We are just acting on our emotions and at the spur of the moment, but before we do that ask yourself at the end of the day, who suffers? Search your heart and you will know the answer.

When we give, we give unconditionally. The main purpose of our gifts is to help the unfortunate in this case, is to help the dialysis patients. As long as our conscience is clear, why bother what the charity organisation does with the money? They are answerable to God and their own morals. In this world, nothing is transparent. Every organisation has its own loopholes and black sheep; but shouldn’t we focus on the bigger picture which is to help the less fortunate carry on with the expensive dialysis programme.

Our contribution does make a difference in other people’s life. What I am trying to say is we should be more discerning and not look at things from a microscopic point of view. We are all entitled to have our own opinion on this issue, but at the end of the day our focus must be right. Our agenda must be clear and we must stick to fulfilling it which is to help the less fortunate afford the costly dialysis treatment. NKF is currently the only organisation that helps kidney dialysis patients in Singapore.

NKF should also play their part. They should be more transparent and honest with the public. Never deceive or mislead the public as it would affect your credibility. Instead learn to have an open communication with your donors. I am not suggesting that they publish all their financial statements in the newspaper, but at least have the basic courtesy to inform the public of the main central figures and let the public form their own views. We can't please everyone but the most important thing first is to lay down all the facts and be serious about them. The most important challenge NKF is facing is to win the public’s trust again. But believe me when the focus is right, all things will be well again.

Regardless of the amount of reserves in NKF’s bank account, regardless of all the bad publicity of its management, regardless of all our doubts about where our money would go, regardless of everything, let’s be a cheerful giver and give NKF a second chance. Our effort may just help someone get a second shot at life.