Everything you need to know about Aman Palestin's controversy
Over the years, the NGO has garnered widespread support from Malaysian citizens and organisations sympathetic to the Palestinian cause.
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: