18 hours ago
MACC probes NGO over alleged misuse of RM26mil in donations
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has uncovered the alleged misappropriation of approximately RM26 million in public donations by a non-governmental organisation (NGO).
According to sources, the case came to light following the arrest of five individuals, including the NGO's chairman, secretary, treasurer, and finance officer, during Op Serantau, led by the MACC's Selangor office.
The arrests were made during raids at several locations across Selangor, Melaka, and Penang beginning last Thursday.
"The five suspects are currently under remand for seven days — four until Wednesday and one until Thursday," the source said.
The modus operandi is said to be similar to that in the Aman Palestin case, where funds were transferred into personal accounts and used to purchase jewellery, cars, land, houses, and cryptocurrency.
"They are also believed to have transferred the organisation's funds into personal accounts to provide loans to staff members, and to have siphoned off surplus funds from humanitarian missions in Syria for personal use," the source added.
The misappropriation of public donations is believed to have been ongoing since 2015.
Meanwhile, MACC Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki confirmed the arrests when contacted.
He said the MACC has seized various assets worth over RM8 million in the operation, including more than RM1 million in cash, jewellery estimated at RM100,000, cryptocurrency worth approximately RM650,000, and four residential properties valued at over RM1.4 million.
"The MACC has also frozen 14 bank accounts involving nearly RM5 million for further investigation," he said.
The case is being investigated under Section 409 of the Penal Code for criminal breach of trust.
