KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) is obtaining documents from Aman Palestin Berhad (Aman Palestin) and the banks to investigate the use of donations they have collected from the public.
MACC Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said the graftbusters had obtained cooperation from Aman Palestin and they are still in the forensic investigation process.
He added that they had begun probing into the NGO since last week based on information reported by the media.
"MACC is obtaining documents from Aman Palestin and the banks. We would be investigating in terms of collection of donations and how the funds are spent.
"We have received cooperation from Aman Palestin and at this stage, we are still in the forensic investigation phase and collecting documents and studying the audits and checking for irregularities.
"During the forensic investigation process, no one will be called in yet for the recording of statements," he said to reporters after officiating the International Anti-Bribery Anti Corruption Summit, here today.
He added that since there were speculations that these funds were not being channeled to victims in Palestine, MACC would have to investigate its money trail.
Azam said the MACC had taken the proactive measure to investigate the case even when there was no official report as it was a matter of public interest involving public funds.
Last week, a news portal reported that MACC launched an investigation into Aman Palestin in connection with alleged irregularities within the NGO fundraising activities for the Palestinian people.
A source told the news portal that many stakeholders were dissatisfied with Aman Palestin's approach to overseeing donation collections.
Previously, Perlis Mufti Datuk Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin through a letter dated on Aug 24 had instructed the Perlis State Islamic Religious Affairs Department (JAIPs) not to permit the collection of funds by Aman Palestin in places of worship and relevant religious premises within the state.
He had expressed reservations about Aman Palestin's collection and distribution of funds, calling for more transparency on the matter.
Subsequently, the state religious authority suspended fund collections by Aman Palestin in Perlis effective Oct 12, pending the completion of a probe.