As part of this ongoing work, SCONPO held the National Symposium on Non-Profit Organisations 2026 (Symposium) on 30 September 2026. Jointly organised by Labuan FSA, the Registrar of Societies Malaysia (ROS), the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM), and the Legal Affairs Division, Prime Minister’s Department (BHEUU), the Symposium was officiated by YB Tuan Liew Chin Tong, Deputy Minister of Finance, Malaysia.

The Symposium, themed “Building a Resilient NPO Ecosystem: Understanding TF Threats and Governance of Regulatory Responsibilities”, centred on awareness, preparedness and action. It promoted good governance and practical safeguards to help NPOs navigate evolving expectations and terrorist financing risks, while protecting their mission, funds and reputation.

More than 200 participants comprising NPO representatives, regulators and key stakeholders came together for dialogue, knowledge-sharing and the exchange of practical experiences. The strong participation underscored the importance of collective awareness and preparedness in building a resilient and trusted NPO sector that serves communities with confidence.

Currently chaired by Labuan FSA, SCONPO brings together the authorities overseeing different segments of the NPO sector in Malaysia. Its engagements throughout the year included SCONPO Working Group meetings and a dedicated workshop, with Bank Negara Malaysia participating as an observer. These exchanges supported greater alignment among authorities on the application of policy and law-enforcement insights in NPO supervision, and a more coordinated response to emerging sectoral risks.

Malaysia’s 2025 FATF Mutual Evaluation also recognised SCONPO as the principal platform for NPO regulators to discuss sectoral issues and share information, reinforcing the importance of sustained inter-agency collaboration.

“Public trust is the NPO sector’s greatest asset. Strong governance protects that trust and turns public support into lasting value for communities,” said Syahrul Imran Mahadzir, Chairman of SCONPO and Deputy Director-General of Labuan FSA.

He added, “Our objective is a resilient NPO sector that can grow with confidence. Closer partnerships, better information sharing and proportionate safeguards will protect its integrity and enable NPOs to fulfil their social missions.”

In his keynote address, the Deputy Minister of Finance highlighted the important role of NPOs as the “third sector” alongside the public and private sectors. He emphasised their potential to contribute to national development, particularly in healthcare and education, by serving communities and addressing social needs.

Terrorist financing risks cannot be addressed by any single agency in isolation. As the agency chairing SCONPO, Labuan FSA remains committed to working closely with member agencies and stakeholders to safeguard national security while enabling NPOs to fulfil their social and charitable missions. Together, these efforts help ensure that charitable resources reach their intended beneficiaries and are protected from misuse.