Sabah PKR deputy chairperson Christina Liew has expressed surprise that there is a new state law requiring non-governmental organisations to obtain approval from the district officer before it can visit and render welfare services to needy people.

In a statement to malaysiakini , Liew, a lawyer, said the statement on that matter which appeared in Daily Express on Monday came as a surprise.

The media report quoted Tendek's development leader (PKR) Anita Baranting as saying that the new law would take immediate effect.

Baranting was appointed a local leader by Tendek member of Parliament and Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Maximus Ongkili.

Liew said that in the past the state government has always encouraged the private sectors and NGOs to join hands with the government in promoting a caring and harmonious society.

"We are not aware of the existence of such new law until now," she said.

She added that the latest development could only be the result of what she called absolute power when the people of Sabah gave 100 percent support to the BN candidates during last election.

"As a result new laws can be enacted without proper dissemination to the people," she said, adding that "the people can only find themselves now in a sad and pathetic circumstance but there's nothing they can do."

She said in the case of Donni John Duin, the 12-year-old boy from Penempang who killed himself due to extreme poverty, many NGOs, including Hope Centre, contributed and continues contributing in cash and in kinds to the family of the boy.

"I do not know if other NGOs have complied with this new law of requiring the approval of local authorities; the then Hope Centre under PKR Sabah did not obtain the approval from the Penampang local authority before visiting the deceased boy's family; and the sponsoring of school fees for his younger siblings," she added.

She said that the state PKR would discuss with Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) to see if there was an infringement of human rights for both the recipients and the donors under this new law.