SINGAPORE BUDDHIST FEDERATION
ANNUAL REPORT 2013
1. Statutory Disclosure
Pursuant to the Charities ( Accounts and Annual Report) Regulations 2011. We hereby
disclose to our members and the general public the following information:
1.1.
The governing instrument of the Federation is known as the Constitution of the
Singapore Buddhist Federation which has been approved by and lodged at the
Office of the Commissioner of Charities and the Registrar of Societies.
1.2.
Charity Registration Number
The Federation was registered as a charity on 2 April 1990 under the Charities
Act. Its charity registration number is 000 727.
1.3.
Society Registration Number
Although the Federation was established in 1949, it officially registered as a
society under the Societies Act on 20 May 1964 and the registration number is
UEN S64 SS 0008K.
1.4.
Registered Address
The registered address of the Federation is at
59 Lorong 24A Geylang, Singapore 398583
1.5.
Membership
As at end of 2013, the Federation has the following members:
Institutional Members:
128
Individual Members :
134
1
1.6.
Members of the incumbent 32nd Term of Council (2012-2014) are as
follows:
Current Service With SBF
Name
Occupation
Previous Service with SBF
Ven Sik Kwang Sheng
Buddhist
Monk
President
Date of
Appointme
nt
29-7-2006
Ven Shi Fa Zhao
Buddhist
Monk
Vice President
23-4-2004
Nil
Mr Lee Bock Guan
Retiree
Vice President
23-4-2004
Nil
Ven Seck Kwang Phing
Buddhist
Monk
Secretary – General
29-7-2006
Chairman,
Education
Section
11-5-1990
to
6-6-1992
Chairman,
Clerical
Section
6-6-1992
to
24-7-1994
Designation
Designation
Secretary General
Chairman,
Propaganda
Section
Chairman,
Education
Section
Chairman,
Dharma
Propagation
Committee
Chairman,
Cultural
Committee
Date of
Appointme
nt
23-4-2004
to
29-7-2006
24-7-1994
to
11-5-1996
11-5-1996
to
14-5-2000
14-5-2000
to
23-4-2004
23-4-2004
to
29-7-2006
Ven N. Sumana Thero
Buddhist
Monk
Chairman General
Affairs Committee
28-7-2010
Deputy
SecretaryGeneral
5-7-2008
to
28-7-2010
Mr Tan Yew Beng
Company
Director
Deputy
Secretary-General
4-7-2009
Deputy
SecretaryGeneral
23-4-2004
to
5-7-2008
Chairman,
Inter-Religious
Committee
5-7-2008
to
4-7-2009
2
Ven Seck Kai Miew
Ven Sek Bao Tong
Ven Shi Chuan Guan
Buddhist
Nun
Buddhist
Nun
Buddhist
Monk
Treasurer
Deputy Treasurer
Chairman, Dharma
Propagation
Committee
2-7-2011
2-7-2011
3-7-2010
Member,
Supervisory
Committee
24-7-1994
to
19-5-2002
Member,
Executive
Committee
23-4-2004
to
29-7-2006
Board Member
29-7-2006
to
30-6-2007
Treasurer
30-62007
to
5-7-2008
Chairman,
Cultural
Committee
5-7-2008
to
4-7-2009
Treasurer
4-7-2009
to
3-7-2010
Chairman,
Cultural
Committee
3-7-2010
to
2-7-2011
Vice Chairman,
Dharma
Propagation
Committee
30-6-2007
to
5-7-2008
Vice Chairman,
Cultural
Committee
5-7-2008
to
4-7-2009
Deputy
Treasurer
4-7-2009
to
3-7-2010
Vice Chairman,
Cultural
Committee
3-7-2010
to
2-7-2011
Chairman,
Cultural
Committee
30-6-2007
to
5-7-2008
Chairman,
Buddhist
Education
Committee
5-7-2008
to
3-7-2010
3
Mr Kweh Soon Han
Lawyer
Vice Chairman,
Dharma
propagation
Committee
3-7-2010
Vice Chairman,
Dharma
Propagation
Committee
29-7-2006
to
30-6-2007
Deputy
Treasurer
30-6-2007
to
5-7-2008
Vice Chairman,
Buddhist
Education
Committee
5-7-2008
to
3-7-2010
Ven Shi You Wei
Buddhist
Monk
Chairman,
Buddhist Education
Committee
3-7-2010
Chairman,
Dharma
Propagation
Committee
5-7-2008
to
3-7-2010
Ven Sek Bao Shi
Buddhist
Nun
Chairman, Cultural
Committee
2-7-2011
Member,
Supervisory
Committee
23-4-2004
to
29-7-2006
Treasurer
29-7-2006
to
30-6-2007
Vice Chairman,
Buddhist
Education
Committee
30-6-2007
to
5-7-2008
Treasurer
5-7-2008
to
4-7-2009
Chairman,
Cultural
Committee
4-7-2009
to
3-7-2010
Treasurer
3-7-2010
to
2-7-2011
Vice Chairman,
Social
Committee
23-4-2004
to
29-7-2006
Deputy
Treasurer
29-7-2006
to
30-6-2007
Mdm Chan Poh Swee
Manager
Vice Chairman,
Cultural Committee
2-7-2011
4
Ven Shi Xiang Yang
Mr Cheu Yok Beng
Mr Chew Bin Teck
Buddhist
Monk
Religious
Teacher
MBA
Student
Chairman,
Charities
Committee
Vice Chairman,
Charities
Committee
Chairman Public
Relations
Committee
28-7-2012
28-7-2012
28-7-2012
Vice Chairman,
Cultural
Committee
30-6-2007
to
5-7-2008
Deputy
Treasurer
5-7-2008
to
4-7-2009
Vice Chairman,
Cultural
Committee
4-7-2009
to
3-7-2010
Deputy
Treasurer
3-7-2010
to
2-7-2011
Board Member
27-10-2007
to
5-7-2008
Vice Chairman,
Dharma
Propagation
Committee
5-7-2008
to
3-7-2010
Chairman,
Inter-Religious
Committee
3-7-2010
to
28-7-2012
Member,
Supervisory
Committee
Member,
Executive
Committee
24-7-1994
to
11-5-1996
11-5-1996
to
29-7-2006
Board Member
29-7-2006
to
30-6-2007
Vice Chairman,
Public
Relations
Committee
30-6-2007
to
28-7-2012
Council
Member
31-7-2010
to
28-7-2012
5
Dr Tan Choon Kim
Medical
Doctor
Council Member
26-7-2008
Member,
Executive
Committee
18-7-1998
to
14-5-2000
Ven Sik Ching Sum
Buddhist
Nun
Council Member
29-7-2006
Deputy
SecretaryGeneral
23-4-2004
to
29-7-2006
Trustees for Immovable Properties
As a registered society, the immovable properties of the Federation have been
registered in the name of the following Trustees in accordance with relevant
legislations as well as Federation’s Constitution:
1.
Ven Seck Kwang Phing
2.
Ven Seck Sian Siang
3.
Ven Shi Chuan Xian
4.
Ven Shi Fa Shu
Currently, the Federation owns 2 immovable properties described below:
(1) A free-hold land 157.8 m2 in area located at Lorong 24A Geylang where the
Federation currently situates. Its approved usage being association building.
(2) A 30-year lease-hold land 18,317.2 m2 in area located at Ubi Avenue 1
where Maha Bodhi School situates. Its 30-year tenure is from 28 Nov 1995
to 27 Nov 2025. Its approved usage is exclusively as educational institution.
1.7.
Affiliates of the Federation
(1) Maha Bodhi School UEN T 07 GS 5601 J
33rd Term of School Management Committee
9 May 2012 to 8 May 2014
Chairman
:
Ven Sik Kwang Sheng
Vice Chairman:
Ven Shi Fa Zhao
Treasurer
:
Mdm Chan Poh Swee
Secretary
:
Ven Seck Kwang Phing
Superviser
:
Mr Tan Yew Beng
6
Members
:
Mr Lee Bock Guan
Ven Sek Bao Shi
Ven Shi Chuan Guan
Mr Kweh Soon Han
Mr Seet Seow Pheng
Mr Yeo Siok Keak
Maha Bodhi School is a Government-aided primary school founded by the
Federation in 1949. Accorded SAP School status in 1990, current pupil
population is more than 2200.Awarded “Programme for School-Based
Excellence Award” in 2006. It has 1937 pupils as of 31 December 2013.
The School was selected for PRIME* Project with construction period from
Dec 2006 to June 2009. The $ 26M project was completed in June 2009 and
the School has since then operated in this upgrade campus. It is currently
embarking on a $18.9 M Upgrading Project under PERI Phase 3, SBF has to
raise $1.6m for this project.
(2) Manjusri Secondary School UEN T 07 GS 7307 E
16th Term of School Management Committee
1 Nov 2013 to 30 Oct 2015
Chairman
:
Ven Sik Kwang Sheng
Vice Chairman:
Mr Lee Bock Guan
Treasurer
:
Ven Sek Bao Shi
Secretary
:
Mr Tan Yew Beng
Superviser
:
Ven Seck Kwang Phing
Members
:
Ven Shi Xiang Yang
Dr Tan Choon Kim
Mr Cheu Yok Beng
Mdm Chan Poh Swee
Mr Billy Loh
Ms Candy Lai
Manjusri Secondary School is a government-aided secondary school
founded by the Federation since 1982, it has 1191 students as of 31
December 2013.
7
The school underwent a massive $ 27 M upgrading project under the
MOE’s PRIME* initiative and relocated to Ubi Avenue 1 upon completion
of project in Jan 2009. It is now adjacent to Maha Bodhi School. The School
moved into this $24M new campus since Jan 2009.
* PRIME: Programme for Rebuilding and Improving Existing Schools.
(3) Marine Parade Maha Bodhi Student Care Centre
Its Management Committee consists of :
Chairman
:
Ven Seck Kwang Phing
Vice Chairman :
Mr Tan Yew Beng
Treasurer
:
Ven Sek Bao Tong
Secretary
:
Ven Shi Xiang Yang
It is a community service division of the Federation jointly set up with the
South East CDC in 1999 to provide before and after school care service to
students living around the vicinity of the Centre. It has an enrolment of 71
students as at end 2013.
(4) Prince Siddattha Child Care Centre
Its current Management Committee consists of :
Chairman
Treasurer
Secretary
Members
:
:
:
:
Ven Sik Kwang Sheng
Ven Seck Kai Miew
Ven Seck Kwang Phing
Ven Sek Bao Tong
Mr Tan Yew Beng
It is another community service division of the Federation. Founded in 1995
and located in Bukit Batok, it aims to provide quality child care and preschool education to residents living in the vicinity of the Centre. As at end
2013, the Centre has an enrolment of 92 children.
(5) SBF Dharma Students’ Society
It is an internal division of the Federation established since 1994. It aims to
promote greater understanding of Dharma among its members and to
support the activities of the Federation. It has more than 300 Members.
8
1.8.
Record of SBF Council Members Serving In Other Charities and Community
Organisations
Name
Ven Sik Kwang Sheng
PBM
Ven Shi Fa Zhao
BBM, PBM

Name of Charity/Community
Organisation
Kong Meng San Phor Kark See
Monastery
Position Held
Date of Appointment
- Chief Administrator
1995 - 2004
- Managing Director
/Director
1996 – present
- 6th Abbot
2004 - present

Venerable Seck Hong Choon
Memorial Foundation
- Chairman
29 Mar 2000- present

Awareness Enterprise Pte Ltd
- Director
30 April 2001-present

Buddhist College of Singapore
- Rector
2006 - present

Bright Hill Evergreen Home
- Chairman
2006 - present

Mee Toh School Management
Committee
- Committee Member
Mar 2005- Dec 2006
- Vice-Chairman
Jan 2007 - Dec 2008
- Chairman
Jan 2009 – present

National Steering Committee on
Racial and Religious Harmony
MCCY
- Member
2006 - present

Singapore Buddhist Free Clinic
- Chairman
July 2008 – present

Vimalakirti Buddhist Centre
- Religious Advisor
May 2011 – present

Inter-Religious Organisation,
Singapore
- President
2007 – Aug 2010
- Vice President
Aug 2010
- Council Member
Aug 2011 - present

Golden Pagoda Buddhist
Temple
Chairman, cum Abbot
12-2-1992
Chairman cum Abbot
20-2-2003

Buddha Tool Relic Temple
(Singapore )
President
13-7-1994

Metta Welfare Association
Chairman
1-1-2001

Metta School
9
Mr Lee Bock Guan
BBM, PBM
Ven Seck Kwang Phing

Singapore Buddhist Lodge
President
1999

Singapore Buddhist Lodge
Welfare Foundation
Chairman
2000

Singapore Buddhist Lodge
Education Foundation
Chairman
2000

Amitabha Buddhist Society
Chairman
1999

Tanglin – Cairnhill IRCC
Chairman
2003

Mee Toh School
Treasurer
2004

Bright Hill Evergreen Home
Secretary
2007

Tan Kah Kee Foundation
Board Member
2004

Inter-Religious Organisation,
Singapore
Council Member
2000

Presidential Council for
Religious Harmony MHA
Member

National Working
Committee on Racial and
Religious Harmony MCCY
Member
2006

Inter-Religious Harmony
Circle MCCY
Member

National Council on Problem
Gambling MSF
Member, Panel of
Assessors

Poo Thor Jee Temple
Abbot
2002

Da Yuan Gong Xiu Hui
Chairman
2003

Chan Yi Gong Xiu Hui
Chairman
2011

World Fellowship of
Buddhists (Singapore
Regional Centre)
President
2008

Beeh Low See Temple
Vice Chairman
2009

Lian Chee Kek Buddhist
Temple
Chairman
2008

Singapore Buddhist Sangha
Organisation
Secretary
2010
10
Ven N. Sumana Thero
Mr Tan Yew Beng
BBM, PBM
Ven Seck Kai Miew

Society of Buddhist
Volunteers
Religious Adviser Cum

World Fellowship of
Buddhists
(Singapore Regional Centre)
Vice President
2010

Singapore Buddhist Sangha
Organisation
Hon Treasurer
2011

Damai Primary School SAC
Member
2010

Joo Chiat Citizens’
Consultative Committee
Chairman
2007

South East Community
Development
District Councillor
2009

East Coast Town Council
Councillor
2010
Co-Chairman Finance
Committee
2010
2009
Since March 1990

Buddha Light Association
Singapore
Vice President

Maha Bodhi School Alumni
President
1995-2008
Adviser
2008

Singapore Hui Ann
Association
Deputy Secretary
2009

The Association of Nanyang
University Graduates
Vice President
1995

Fo Yuan Lin Monastery
Vice President &
Trustee
21-7-2010

Singapore Chinese Buddhist
Association
Chairman,
Cultural Committee
July 2010

Singapore Buddhist Free
Clinic
Treasurer
2010

Buddha of Medicine Welfare
Society
Vice President
2009
11
Ven Sek Bao Tong
Ven Shi Chuan Guan
Mr Kweh Soon Han
LLB (Hon) LLM
Ven Shi You Wei
Ven Sek Bao Shi
Mdm Chan Poh Swee
Ven Shi Xiang Yang
Dr Tan Choon Kim
MBBS, Ph D,
FAMS, Cbiol, (Lond)
MIbiol (Lond), PBM

Sakyadhita
Vice President
1997

The Buddhist Union
Vice President
2001

Meow Im Kok Yuen
Vice-President
2010

Geylang Serai IRCC
Co-Chairman

World Fellowship of
Buddhists
(Singapore Regional Centre)
Secretary-General
Assistant Religious
Adviser
1-7-2009

Buddhist Research Society

Bright Hill Evergreen Home
Management Committee
Member

Kong Meng San Phor Kark
See Monastery
Member, Audit
Committee

NUS Temasek Hall’s Senior
Common Room Committee
Fellow

Di Zhan Lin Monastery
President
2006

Nanyang Polytechnic
Buddhist Society
Spiritual Adviser
2010

Sakyadhita
President
1997

The Buddhist Union
President
2001

Meow Im Kok Yuen
Committee Member
2010

Dharma Cakra Society
President
1995

Bright Hill Evergreen Home
Treasurer

Tai Pei Old People’s Home
Committee Member

Da Yuan Gong Xiu Hui
Secretary

Chan Yi Gong Xiu Hui
Treasurer

Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho
Temple
Chairman
Board of Trustees
30-7-2010
12
Mr Cheu Yok Beng
PBM

Kwan Im Tng Temple (Joo
Chiat)
Chairman and
Religious Adviser
Ven Sik Ching Sum

Tai Pei Yuen Temple
President
23-9-2009

Tai Pei Old People’s Home
President
23-9-2009

Tai Pei Foundation
President
8-9-2010

Tai Pei Buddhist Centre
President
14-10-2009

Tai Pei Social Service
President
2010

Singapore Chinese Buddhist
Association
President
28-7-2010

Vimalakirti Buddhist Society
Secretary-General
1-7-2010
Mr Chew Bin Teck
1.9.
Professional Advisers and Bankers
(1) The Legal Adviser to the Federation is Mr Choo Si Sen. LLB(Hon). JP,
BBM PBM
(2) The Federation’s auditor is CSI & Co Public Accounting Corporation.
(3) The Federation has current or FD accounts with the following banks and
finance companies:
Hong Leong Finance

OCBC Bank

RHB hank

Sing-Investment and Finance Company

UOB Bank

DBS Bank

HSBC Bank

May Bank
1.10. Chief Executive
The current Chief Executive of the Federation Mr Kua Soon Khe assumed
duties on 16 Jan 2006. Prior to this appointment, he was Deputy Executive
Director of the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry from
13
1983 to 1995, and Executive Secretary of the Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan
from 1996 to 2004. He currently serves at :
1. Ministry of Defence
Member, SAF Detention Barracks Board of Visitors
2. Ministry of Social and Family Development
Member, National Council on Problem Gambling
1.11. Financial Year
The financial year of the Federation is from 1st January to 31 December.
1.12. Governance Evaluation Checklist
S/N
o
Code Description
Code
ID
Compliance
Explanation (If Compliance
in Progress, Not Complied
or not Applicable
BOARD GOVERNANCE
Board Roles, Composition and Bye-Laws
1
The Board is wholly independent from the
paid executive management of the charity. if
the governing document permits paid staff to
become Board members, they should
comprise not more than one-third of the Board
1.1.2a
Complied
None of the SBF Staff sits on
the Board as Member. Only
the Chief Executive is
attendance to take Minutes in
and assist in answering.
2
Pay staff does not chair the Board.
1.1.2b
Complied
The Board is chaired by a
volunteer elected by the
members.
3.
There is a maximum term limit of four
consecutive years for the Treasurer (or
equivalent) position.
1.1.6
Complied
The term limit for Treasurer is
2 consective terms of up to 2
years each, ie: up to 4 years.
1.2.1
Complied
We have set up an Audit
Committee. Our programmes
and Services Committee focus
on Propagation of Dharma
and Celebration of Vesak
Festival.
Board Structure
4.
There are Board committees (or designed
Board members) with documented terms of
reference in place to oversee the following
areas. Where appropriate:
a. Audit;
b. Programmes and Services;
c. Fund-raising; (Applicable to IPCs &
Large Charities)
d.
Appointment / Nomination;
(Applicable to IPCs & Large Charities)
e.
Human Resource; (Applicable to IPCs
& Large Charities) and
f.
Investment. (Applicable to Large IPCs)
14
Board Meeting
5.
The Board meets regularly with a quorum of
at least one-third or 3 members (or as required
by the governing document).
1.3.2
Complied
Board Meetings are conducted
on quarterly basis with a
quorum of at least one-thirds
of the Board members
present.
2.1.1
Complied
We carry out yearly review.
STRATEGIC PLANNING
Vision & Mission
6.
The Board periodically approves and reviews
the vision and mission of the charity. They are
documented and communicated to the public
or its members.
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
Related Party Transaction
7.
There are documented procedures for Board
members or paid staff to declare actual or
potential conflicts of interest to the Board
3.1.1
Complied
Stated in our Constitution and
Staff manual. Board Members
Submit written declaration.
8.
Board member with conflicts of interest do
not vote or participate in decision making in
the matter.
3.1.2
Complied
Board Members concerned
declared voluntarily and
documented in the Minutes.
5.1.1
Complied
Staff Manual was approved by
the Board on 27 Oct 2007and
revised on 9 Nov 2013.
6.1.1
Complied
SBF Budget is presented to
the Board for approval
annually in January.
HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
Staff & Volunteers
9.
There are documented human resource
policies approved by the Board for paid staff
(and volunteers, where appropriate).
FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT & CONTROLS
Budget Planning & Monitoring
10.
The Board approves an annual budget for the
charity’s corporate and programme plans and
monitors its budget expenditure regularly.
Operational Controls
11.
The Board ensures periodic internal reviews
on controls, process, key programmes and
events.
6.2.2
Complied
Weekly checks and internal
audit carried out on weekly
basis by the Chief Executive.
12.
The charity ensures internal control systems
are in place with documented procedures,
approved by the Board for financial matters.
6.2.3
Complied
Procedures are documented in
the Staff Manual.
6.3.1
Complied
Stated in the notes of audited
accounts and annual report.
Asset Management
13.
The charity discloses its reserves policy in the
annual report.
15
DISCLOSURE & TRANSPARENCY
14.
The charity makes available to its stakeholders
an annual report. (Financial accounts are
tabled at the Annual General Meeting, if
required by the governing document).
8.1.1
Complied
Annual Report together with
audited accounts sent to all
members at least 14 clear days
before AGM.
9.1.1
Complied
Documented in our Annual
Report and sent to all
Members prior to AGM.
PUBLIC RELATIONS & CORPORATE
COMMUNICATIONS
15.
The charity communicates its mission,
programmes or activities to key stakeholders,
16