KUALA LUMPUR – The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) is ready to justify in court why it froze assets belonging to non-governmental organisation (NGO) Aman Palestin, chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said.
Azam, responding to Aman Palestin’s three-day ultimatum for MACC to unfreeze its bank accounts, said the charity – which is being investigated for misappropriating funds collected for the Palestinian cause – is welcome to sue the anti-graft agency if it wants.
“MACC conducts its investigations in a professional and fair manner without any ill will towards any party. It is up to the party to take legal action if they feel there is a need to do so.
“MACC is ready to reveal to the court the justifications why the assets were frozen,” Azam said in a statement today.
He added that the bank accounts were frozen as part of investigations, and the action is lawful under Section 44(1) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act.
“It is a common action carried out in any investigation if there is a need,” Azam said, adding that the anti-graft agency would perform this action, especially in public interest cases involving the leakage of funds.
Aman Palestin’s lawyer said at a press conference last night that the charity group was giving MACC three days to unfreeze its accounts, failing which it would pursue legal action. The NGO also said there had been a “misunderstanding” over the funds, insisting they did reach the intended recipients.
On October 20, MACC announced its probe into the charity group based on information reported in the media. Azam said there was no need for the graft-buster to have waited for a report to be filed.
The media had reported the concerns of Perlis mufti Datuk Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin, who wrote a letter to the Perlis Islamic Religious Affairs Department not to permit the collection of funds by Aman Palestin in places of worship and relevant religious premises within the state.
The state religious authority then suspended fund collections by Aman Palestin in Perlis, effective October 12.
On November 23, MACC said it had frozen 41 bank accounts belonging to Aman Palestin Bhd, which collectively held RM15.9 million.
A search at the NGO’s premises to seize financial and operational management documents for the past five years also led to findings that some RM70 million had been misappropriated or diverted for purposes other than the charity’s objectives.
The RM70 million was said to have been used to buy gold, property, and make cash investments.
Previously, Palestinian Ambassador to Malaysia, Walid Abu Ali, cautioned Malaysians against directing donations meant for Palestinians affected by the violence in Gaza to dubious donation funds. – November 28, 2023