Under guise of helping Syrian victims, NGO absconds with RM26 million

A NON-governmental organisation (NGO) that purported to support humanitarian work in Syria is now under investigation for allegedly misappropriating RM26 million in public donations, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has revealed.

In an operation dubbed Op Serantau, MACC Selangor arrested five individuals, including the NGO’s chairman, secretary, treasurer and finance officer, who are accused of transferring charitable funds into personal accounts, and spending the money on jewellery, vehicles, land, residential properties, and cryptocurrency.

“The modus operandi mirrors that of the Aman Palestin case,” a source said. “The funds were transferred into personal accounts and used for personal gain. This included giving loans to staff and siphoning off surplus funds from a well-digging project in Syria.”

The alleged misappropriation is believed to have occurred from 2015 to the present, with the suspects arrested in coordinated raids across Selangor, Melaka, and Penang beginning last Thursday. Four of the suspects have been remanded until Wednesday, while the fifth will be held until Thursday.

MACC Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki confirmed the arrests and said investigators have seized over RM8 million worth of assets.

“This includes more than RM1 million in cash, jewellery worth around RM100,000, cryptocurrency amounting to RM650,000, and four residential properties valued at over RM1.4 million,” he said. Additionally, 14 bank accounts containing nearly RM5 million have been frozen.

The case is being investigated under Section 409 of the Penal Code for criminal breach of trust by a public servant or agent.

Harian Metro cited its earlier reports which noted that MACC had already detained four individuals, including three members of the NGO’s executive committee, for allegedly colluding to misappropriate the organisation’s funds.

The arrests were made after the suspects, aged in their 30s, presented themselves at the MACC office in Melaka between 4pm and 7pm.

Following this, the NGO’s chairman was also detained on suspicion of abusing his position to misappropriate funds under the organisation’s care. - June 16, 2025