KUALA LUMPUR – The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has frozen Aman Palestin Bhd’s 41 bank accounts amounting to RM15,868,762, following its probe into alleged irregularities over the NGO’s fundraising activities.
The anti-graft agency has also conducted a search at Aman Palestin’s premises and obtained financial and operational management documents for the past five years as part of the investigation that started on October 17.
According to MACC’s statement today, the preliminary investigation has identified several issues involving the misappropriation of funds estimated at RM70 million, which was diverted for purposes other than the objectives of the establishment of the company.
It added that statements have been taken from witnesses as part of its probe.
The case is being investigated under the MACC Act 2009, the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 (AMLATFPUAA) and the Penal Code (Act 574).
On November 7, MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said forensic officers were still looking into the documentation obtained from Aman Palestin, specifically records from 2020 to 2022.
Meanwhile, Aman Palestin Kelantan announced on November 1 that it had raised RM500,000 to aid in the welfare of Palestinians who are affected by the ongoing siege by Israel.
On October 21, Azam said the MACC has the authority to initiate an investigation based on information reported by the media, even if no formal complaint has been filed.
“The MACC has the prerogative to commence an investigation based on information published by the media. In the case of Aman Palestin, we have already opened a probe,” he told Scoop.
On October 11, the ProMediaTajdid Facebook page shared a letter from the Perlis Mufti Department dated August 24, instructing the Perlis State Islamic Religious Affairs Department (JAIPs) not to permit the collection of funds by Aman Palestin in places of worship and relevant religious premises within the state.
In the letter, Perlis Mufti Datuk Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin expressed reservations about Aman Palestin’s collection and distribution of funds, calling for more transparency on the matter.
Subsequently, the state religious authority suspended fund collections by Aman Palestin in Perlis effective October 12, pending the completion of a probe. – November 23, 2023