MACC freezes Aman Palestin's accounts involving funds over RM15.8m

MACC has frozen accounts belonging to Aman Palestin Bhd and several other companies, involving funds of more than RM15.8 million.

According to the anti-graft agency, the case is being investigated under the MACC Act 2009, Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 (Amlatfpuaa), and Act 574 of the Penal Code, which pertains to criminal offences.

"Regarding MACC's probe on Aman Palestin since Oct 17 over allegations of misusing public funds, the commission froze 41 accounts belonging to the charitable organisation and several other companies, involving a total of RM15,868,762 yesterday.

"MACC had previously raided Aman Palestin’s premises, and acquired its financial and operational documents for the last five years," MACC said in a statement today.

"MACC has also recorded statements from several witnesses and initial investigations revealed several instances of misappropriation, including RM70 million channelled to purposes other than the objectives of the establishment of the company."

It was recently reported that Perlis mufti Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin, through a letter dated Aug 24, instructed the 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.

He had 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 Oct 12, pending completion of a probe.

Aman Palestin was established in 2004 to channel humanitarian efforts and collect funds for Palestinians affected by the Israeli occupation.

Its executive director Abdullah Zaik Abdul Rahman was also the de-facto leader of Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia (Isma) and its founding president until 2018.

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