SECRETARY OF HUMANITARIAN MISSION NGO IN GAZA REMANDED OVER MISAPPROPRIATING RM4.2 MILLION FUND

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 5 (Bernama) -- A secretary of a non-governmental organisation (NGO) on a humanitarian mission in Gaza has been remanded for three days until Saturday to assist in investigations over allegations of abuse of power and misappropriation of the organisation's funds amounting to approximately RM4.2 million.

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) in a statement today announced that the remand order against the suspect, in his 40s, was issued by Magistrate Ezrene Zakariah after granting the agency's application at the Putrajaya Magistrate's Court.

According to sources, the suspect was arrested at about 6 pm yesterday while appearing to give a statement at the MACC Putrajaya headquarters.

"Initial investigations found that the suspect, who is also the owner of a food company, is believed to have approved and transferred NGO funds amounting to approximately RM4.2 million into the accounts of two other companies for investment purposes where individuals in the management of the organisation are believed to have interests in the companies," he said.

The source said the act was believed to have been committed between 2022 and 2024 and the investigation is now focusing on the element of embezzlement of public funds as the NGO involved received donations from the public for humanitarian missions.

Meanwhile, MACC Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Division director Datuk Norhaizam Muhammad when contacted confirmed the arrest and informed that the case is being investigated under Section 23 of the MACC Act 2009.

-- BERNAMA