(NST) - Two weeks have passed but Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram) director Kua Kia Soong and co-founder R. Sivarasa have yet to clarify the legitimacy of the non-governmental organisation.

Former Parti Keadilan Rakyat leader Ng Lum Yong has once again issued a challenge to Kua and Sivarasa to clarify claims by a Malay rights group earlier this month that Suaram was not an NGO, but an entity registered as a company called Suara Inisiatif Sdn Bhd with a paid-up capital of RM2, "if they have the guts to do so".

Jaringan Melayu Malaysia (JMM) president Azwanddin Hamzah Said had first come forward with the claim early this month.

Ng said checks with the Registrar of Societies revealed that Suaram was not registered with the body despite claims of its non-profit organisation status.

"What I understand is that if you are an NGO, you are registered as a limited company and not as a private limited company. So I ask the Companies Commission of Malaysia and the Inland Revenue Board to open files and investigate Suaram's accounts under the laws of the country."