The case of a contractor who took deliberate steps to liquidate his assets to avoid paying damages to animal welfare group, the Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (Acres), for breach of contract and negligence is cause for concern ("Man jailed for scheming to avoid paying damages"; Oct 17).

Acres will have to bear the cost of the contractor's actions, including righting the wrong done by the contractor.

Unlike large international non-governmental organisations (NGOs), which have access to multiple sources of funding and donations, local NGOs face the challenge of raising funds locally.

Community action is still in its early days in Singapore.

But NGOs have persisted and play an important role in building an active and more engaged community.

They deserve greater protection from fraudulent activities.

Maybe it is time to push for greater protection for local NGOs.

Lahiru Wijedasa