Financial Regulation and Taxation of Religion in Singapore

Abstract

Regulation in Singapore is primarily “religion-blind”. In other words, most laws are passed without specific reference to religions. The Maintenance of Religious Harmony Act, for example, is one of laws that cover all religions without distinction. However, the scandal of the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) in July 2005 shows that it is necessary for the State to issue laws to regulate financial governance of organizations that collect money from the public, to protect the members of the public. The author suggests that where these rules are formulated, they should not be targeted in word or in practice against religious organizations only.