Cover image via 
Authorities have uncovered the suspected misuse of RM26 million in public donations by a non-governmental organisation (NGO), believed to have been diverting funds for humanitarian work since 2015
The alleged abuse of funds was exposed following the arrest of the NGO's chairman, secretary, treasurer, finance officer, and a staff member, during a coordinated operation known as Op Serantau.
The arrests were carried out by the Selangor Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), with raids conducted across Selangor, Melaka, and Penang since Thursday last week.
All five suspects have been remanded for seven days.
Four are being detained until Wednesday, 18 June, while the chairman will remain in custody until Thursday, 19 June, under a remand order issued in Melaka on 13 June.
One of the five NGO individuals detained for investigation into the embezzlement of public donations.
Image via Sinar Harian
According to sources, the suspects are believed to have siphoned public donations into personal bank accounts
The funds were allegedly used to purchase jewellery, vehicles, land, residential properties, and cryptocurrency. Some of the money was also reportedly used to provide personal loans to the NGO's staff.
In one instance, surplus funds from a well construction project in Syria, part of the NGO's humanitarian mission, were allegedly misappropriated for private use, reported Berita Harian today, 16 June.
"The modus operandi mirrors the Aman Palestin case," a source told the Malay daily, referencing a previous high-profile RM70 million scandal involving the misuse of charitable donations.
In the pro-Palestinian NGO case in 2023, the anti-graft agency had frozen a total of 41 bank accounts 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.
MACC chief Tan Sri Azam Baki confirmed the arrests, stating that the commission has seized assets worth over RM8 million
These include:
- More than RM1 million in cash
- Jewellery worth approximately RM100,000
- Cryptocurrency valued at RM650,000
- Four residential properties worth over RM1.4 million
In addition, 14 bank accounts containing nearly RM5 million have been frozen pending further investigation. The case is currently being investigated under Section 409 of the Penal Code for criminal breach of trust. The NGO's chairman is also being probed under Section 23 of the MACC Act 2009 for abuse of power.
Image via Harian Metro
