PUTRAJAYA: Individuals and groups are advised to use official platforms if they wish to contribute to helping Palestinians harmed by Israel's unrelenting onslaught on Gaza.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said that this was done to ensure that all contributions made by individuals and organisations for the humanitarian cause reached the Palestinians.
"It has been the standing instruction (for the people and groups wishing to help the Palestinians to channel their contribution to government platforms) which is coordinated and managed by the Foreign Ministry.
"If you have any doubts that the contribution that you made to the non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and individuals might not reach the Palestinians and instead used to fund their administrative cost, then it is best to direct your contribution to the appropriate (government) platforms.
"This is to ensure that your contribution reaches the Palestinians who are victims of the cruelty of the Israeli forces," he told reporters here today.
The advice issued by Zahid came on the heels of the on-going investigation by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) on Aman Palestin Bhd. (hyperlink: https://www.nst.com.my/amp/news/nation/2023/11/981704/updated-macc-freez...)
It was reported that the MACC last month had frozen 41 bank accounts belonging to Aman Palestin Bhd following alleged irregularities over its fundraising activities.
The commission, in a statement, had said accounts, involving an amount of RM15.87 million, were frozen.
The probe was conducted to obtain information regarding offences under the MACC Act 2009, the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 and the Penal Code (Act 574).
Earlier, Zahid witnessed the contribution to the Humanitarian Trust Fund for the People of Palestine (AAKRP) which is managed by the Foreign Ministry from 99 Speedmart Sdn Bhd and Wanita Umno.
99 Speedmart director of branches operation Yong Eng Kwang handed over a mock cheque of the company's contribution of RM200,000 in donation to the fund.
Wanita Umno chief Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad handed over a mock cheque for RM621,954.60 from the movement.
Present to receive the donation was the ministry's deputy secretary-general (bilateral relation affairs) Datuk Rozian Abd Ghani.
Apart from Zahid, also present to hand over the mock cheque was Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir.