Tuesday, November 28, 2023

Aman Palestin gives MACC 3 days to unfreeze bank accounts


FMT:

Aman Palestin gives MACC 3 days to unfreeze bank accounts


The NGO says if the anti-graft agency fails to comply, they will take legal action.



Aman Palestin’s premises were recently raided by MACC to obtain documents on its financials and operations for the past five years. (Bernama pic)


PETALING JAYA: Aman Palestin is giving the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission three days to unfreeze their bank accounts or risk legal action.

At a press conference, the NGO’s lawyer, Rafique Rashid said if the MACC fails to comply:

“We will take the matter to court.”

On Thursday, the anti-graft agency froze 41 bank accounts belonging to Aman Palestin and several other companies – which had a combined total of RM15.8 million – as part of an investigation into the alleged misappropriation of RM70 million by the NGO.


The investigation involves claims that the NGO funnelled the money into these companies.

The case is being probed under the MACC Act 2009, the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 (Amla), and the Penal Code.

Rafique also said the press release by the MACC tantamount to “character assassination” of the NGO and its board members.

He also accused the authorities of impeding local NGOs from providing much-needed assistance to the Palestinian people.

“The prime minister is travelling the world, speaking up for the Palestinian cause, but back home, bank accounts (with money meant for the Palestinians) are being frozen.”

Rafique also questioned the timing of MACC’s decision to freeze the NGO’s account.

“Why did they do it just one day after Aman Palestin announced it was going to donate RM10 million worth of aid to Palestine, Syria, Lebanon and Yemen as well as surrounding areas?”

He said now that the accounts had been frozen, the NGO would not be able to deliver the aid.

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