Constitution of MSA
Please read and understand the constitution. Approved by the Registrar of Societies on 8 April 2002. Web page 1 of 3.
MALAYSIAN SCIENTIFIC ASSOCIATION (MSA)
(PERSATUAN SAINS MALAYSIA)
1. NAME AND PLACE OF BUSINESS
1.1 The Association shall be known as the
Malaysian Scientific Association (MSA), or in Bahasa Malaysia, Persatuan Sains Malaysia. Thereinafter referred to as the “Association”.
1.2 Its registered place of business shall be
Room No. 1, 2nd Floor,
Bangunan Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah,
16, Jalan Utara,
46200 Petaling Jaya,
Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
The registered address shall not be changed without the prior approval of the Registrar of Societies.
2. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
The aims and objectives of the Association shall be:
i) to promote the advancement of science and technology in Malaysia;
ii) to enhance the public understanding and appreciation of science and technology in Malaysia;
iii) to stimulate and encourage the study of scientific, technological and socio-economic problems of national interest;
iv) to represent the scientific community in Malaysia and act as a liaison between scientists and the government;
v) to recognise outstanding contributions to the advancement, development and promotion of science and technology in Malaysia;
vi) to establish and manage funds and foundations for the advancement of science and technology;
vii) to liaise with national scientific organisations and participate in their programmes; and
viii) to liaise with the international scientific community and participate in international programmes.
3. MEMBERSHIP
3.1 Membership shall be open to all qualified persons who wish to further the objectives of the Association.
3.2 There shall be seven (7) classes of membership:
i) Fellow
ii) Associate Fellow
iii) Ordinary Member
iv) Life Member
v) Student Member
vi) Honorary Fellow
vii) Institutional Member
3.2.1 Fellows
Fellows shall be persons who are eminent by reasons of their scientific attainments, their researches in science, or their contributions to the advancement, development and promotion of science and technology.
3.2.2 Associate Fellows
Associate Fellows shall be persons who, by their qualifications and experience, have contributed to the advancement, development and promotion of science and technology.
3.2.3 Ordinary Members
Ordinary membership shall normally be granted to science graduates or to holders of equivalent qualifications or to those having commensurate experience.
3.2.4 Life Members
Life membership shall be offered to all Fellows of the Association who have been in good standing for 10 continuous years. Such members shall be exempted from payment of any subscription.
3.2.5 Student Members
Student membership shall be granted by the Council to persons who are studying for science degree or equivalent qualification, or who are studying for those degrees under circumstances which the Council considers to be suitable for the granting of Student membership. No student shall be admitted as a member of the Association without the prior permission in writing from the Vice Chancellor of the University or University College concerned.
Student membership may be withdrawn from a person if the Council considers his/her circumstances no longer qualify the person for the Student membership.
3.2.6 Honorary Fellows
Honorary Fellows shall be eminent persons who have rendered conspicuous service to the Association, or to the cause of science and technology, or whose election would be of significant benefit to the Association, or to the advancement, development and promotion of science and technology. No more than five (5) persons shall be elected Honorary Fellows in any one year. Honorary Fellows shall pay no subscription, shall neither vote nor hold office, but shall receive such notices, reports and publications as the Council deems appropriate.
3.2.7 Institutional Members
Institutional membership shall be open to any organisation interested in the objectives of the Association and who wishes to contribute financially towards the Association. Institutional members are allowed to nominate two (2) members of their organisation to participate in the activities of the Association.
3.3 Persons and organisations wishing to join the Association shall apply for membership to the Council on a form approved by the Council, obtainable from the Secretary General.
3.4 Every application for membership shall be proposed and seconded by members and shall be forwarded to the Secretary General who shall, at the first convenient opportunity, submit it to the Council for approval. The Council may at its discretion reject any application without assigning any reason therefore.
3.5 Every applicant whose application has been approved as aforesaid shall, upon payment of the prescribed entrance fee and annual subscription, be admitted as a member of the Association and shall be entitled to all the privileges of membership.
3.6 The interpretation of the preceding rules with respect to an applicant’s eligibility to any class of membership shall be at the discretion of the Council; the Council shall not be obliged to state a reason for refusing any class of membership to any person.
3.7 The Council may withdraw membership of the Association from a member if, in the opinion of the Council, such membership is not in the interest of the Association.
3.8 Members of the Association shall be entitled to attend the meetings of the Association and to receive all notices and publications issued, except those pertaining to Council matters.
3.9 Fellows, Associate Fellows, Ordinary and Life Members only may vote, hold office, propose or second nominations and resolutions.
3.10 Fellows, Associate Fellows and Honorary Fellows may use the words F.M.S.A, A.F.M.S.A or F.M.S.A (Honorary) respectively after their names.
4. ENTRANCE FEE, ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTIONS AND OTHER DUES
4.1 The entrance fee and annual subscriptions payable shall be as follows:
Entrance Fee : RM30
Annual Subscription for:
Fellow : RM50
Associate Fellow : RM40
Ordinary Member : RM30
Student Member : RM10
Institutional Member : RM200
4.2 Annual subscription shall be payable to the Treasurer General in advance by 31 January.
4.3 Any member whose subscription is in arrears for three (3) years shall receive a written notification signed by or on behalf of the Secretary General, and shall be denied the privileges of membership until he/she settles his/her dues.
4.4 Any person who has allowed his/her membership to lapse through arrears, shall pay a re-entrance fee of RM 50 in addition to the current annual subscription.
5. RESIGNATION
Any member who wishes to resign from the Association shall give thirty (30) days’ notice in writing to the Secretary General and shall pay up all arrears.
6. GENERAL MEETINGS
6.1 The supreme authority of the Association is vested in a general meeting of the members. At least one third of the total voting membership of the Association or the voting members present representing twice the total number of Council members whichever is lesser, must be present at a general meeting for its proceedings to be valid and to constitute a quorum.
6.2 If half an hour after the time appointed for the meeting a quorum is not present, the meeting shall be postponed to a date (not exceeding 30 days) to be decided by the Council; and if a quorum is not present half an hour after the time appointed for the postponed meeting, the members present shall have the power to proceed with the business of the day but they shall not have the power to alter the rules of the Association or make decisions affecting the whole membership.
6.3 An Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Association shall be held on or before 30 June of the year after the close of each financial year on a date and at a time and place to be decided by the Council. The business of the AGM shall be:
a) to approve the minutes of all general meetings held in the previous year;
b) to adopt the Annual Report of the Council on the working of the Association during the previous year;
c) to adopt the Treasurer General’s Report and the audited accounts of the previous year;
d) to elect a new Council every alternate year;
e) to elect two (2) Auditors; and
f) to deal with such other matters as may be put before it.
6.4 The Secretary General shall send the notice and agenda of the AGM to all members at least forty two (42) days before the date of meeting.
6.5 The Secretary General shall send copies of minutes of all general meetings held in the previous year, the Annual Report and the audited accounts of the Association to all members at least fourteen (14) days before the meeting.
6.6 Any member who wishes to put up any resolution(s) at the AGM shall give notice in writing to the Secretary General at least twenty eight (28) days before the date of the AGM.
6.7 An Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) of the Association shall be convened:
a) whenever the Council deems it desirable, or
b) at the joint request in writing of not less than twenty (20) members, stating the objectives and reasons for such meeting.
6.8 An EGM requisitioned by members shall be convened on a date within thirty (30) days of such requisition.
6.9 The Secretary General shall forward notice and the agenda of the EGM to all members at least fourteen (14) days before the date fixed for the meeting.
6.10 The quorum of the EGM shall be the same as that of the AGM.
6.11 If there is no quorum after half an hour from the time appointed for the EGM requisitioned by members, the meeting shall be cancelled and no EGM shall be requisitioned for the same purpose until the lapse of at least six (6) months from the date thereof.
6.12 The Secretary General shall forward to all members a copy of the draft minutes of each Annual and Extraordinary General Meeting within two (2) months after the date of the meeting.