Everything you need to know about Aman Palestin's controversy

SHAH ALAM - Aman Palestin, a prominent Malaysian non-governmental organisation (NGO) dedicated to providing humanitarian aid to Palestinians, finds itself embroiled in controversy following recent raids by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

Aman Palestin chairman Abdullah Zaik Abdul Rahman and its chief executive officer, Awang Sufian Awang Piut were slapped with 164 charges of cheating, criminal breach of trust, and money laundering totalling more than RM39 million of the company's funds today.

However, they pleaded not guilty to the charges levelled against them. The charges, which took over two hours to read, spanned a period from March 2018 to Nov last year.

Abdullah Zaik and Awang Sufian were individually accused of 52 counts of criminal breach of trust, alleging that they misappropriated funds totalling RM20,946,498.80.

Additionally, they faced joint charges related to deceitfully procuring cash from Aman Palestin for the ostensible purchase of gold, an endeavour that allegedly saw an inflated expenditure of RM39,150,000 compared to the actual purchase price.

Furthermore, the duo, in their roles as directors of Samudra Champa Sdn Bhd, faced accusations of money laundering totalling RM12,833,772.16, allegedly utilised for purchasing luxury vehicles, shop lots, factory warehouses and land parcels across the nation.

Established in 1998, Aman Palestin has been at the forefront of humanitarian efforts, focusing primarily on providing essential aid, medical assistance, and educational support to Palestinians affected by conflict and hardship.

Over the years, the NGO has garnered widespread support from Malaysian citizens and organisations sympathetic to the Palestinian cause.

Last year, 11 out of 41 bank accounts that were frozen by the MACC are used by Aman Palestin for donation purposes.

This hold-up donation amounted to RM10 million that was supposed to be given as aid to Palestine, Syria, Lebanon and Yemen as they prepared to brave the winter.

The freezing was carried out after the MACC investigated allegations of Aman Palestin misusing public donations.

Here are the chronology of what took place from the start:

• Oct 17, 2023 - MACC begins an investigation into Aman Palestine. MACC confirmed that it had searched the premises of Aman Palestin and obtained documents related to financial and operational management for the previous five years.
  
  The MACC also recorded the testimony of several important witnesses and the results of the preliminary investigation identified several suspected issues involving the embezzlement of funds estimated at RM70 million which were channelled for purposes other than the company's establishment objectives.
• Nov 23, 2023 - The MACC confirmed that it has frozen 41 accounts and several other company entities of the NGO amounting to RM15,868,762 after allegedly misusing the money donated by the public.
• Nov 28, 2023 - Aman Palestin gave MACC three days to unfreeze their accounts.
• Jan 31, 2024 - Aman Palestin filed an affidavit in support of the judicial review, a Compliant Statement pursuant to Rule 53 of the Rules of Court 2012 and an Instant Certificate.
• In the application, Aman Palestin sought a certiorari order to annul the decision of the first respondent to the sixth respondent regarding the freezing order dated Nov 24, 2023 pursuant to Section 44(1) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorist Financing and Proceeds from Illegal Activities Act 2001 on 11 bank accounts belong to the applicant in addition to requesting to cancel the wrongful freezing involved.
• Feb 6, 2024 - The Attorney General's Office (AGC) will file an objection to the judicial review application filed by Aman Palestin regarding the freezing of 11 of his bank accounts totaling RM11.03 million by the MACC.
• Feb 15, 2024 - Three individuals including the executive chairman and CEO of Aman Palestin were brought before the Sessions Court on 164 charges.