Mutual Benefit Organisations (Amendment) Bill

if in the opinion of the Registrar the name under which the mutual benefit organisation is to be registered is —

identical with or so nearly resembles the name of any other organisation as is likely to deceive the members of the public as to its nature or identity; or

likely to mislead the members of the public as to the true character and purpose of the mutual benefit organisation; or

if in the opinion of the Registrar the scheme for the relief or maintenance of the members or subscribers of the mutual benefit organisation as provided for in the rules and objects of the mutual benefit organisation is undesirable and not in the interest of the members or subscribers.”.

Where a notice has been given by the Registrar to a mutual benefit organisation under the provisions of subsection (3) of section 27 of this Ordinance, the Minister may, where he is satisfied that it is likely that the funds of the mutual benefit organisation may be misused, by order, direct any bank in Singapore not to pay any money out and not to pay cheques drawn on the account of such organisation for a specified period not exceeding three months.(2) A bank and any officer thereof which complies with an order of the Minister under subsection (1) of this section shall be relieved of any liability to any other person in respect of the payment prohibited by such order.(3) The manager of any bank which fails to comply with an order of the Minister under subsection (1) of this section shall be guilty of an offence under this Ordinance and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding three thousand dollars or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years or to both such fine and imprisonment.Power to seize documents27B.—

Where a notice has been given by the Registrar to a mutual benefit organisation under the provisions of subsection (3) of section 27 of this Ordinance, the Registrar or a police officer authorised in writing by the Registrar may at any time enter any place which the Registrar has reason to believe is kept or used by any mutual benefit organisation or any of its members as a place of meeting or business and seize any account book, document or record of the mutual benefit organisation.(2) Any person who obstructs or prevents the Registrar or a police officer authorised in writing in that behalf by the Registrar from seizing the account books, documents or records of a mutual benefit organisation shall be guilty of an offence under this Ordinance and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding two thousand dollars or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years or to both such fine and imprisonment.”.