KUALA LUMPUR: Three leaders from different Islamic non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in Malaysia, actively involved in managing aid to West Asia, have been listed in the Terrorist Screening Centre (TSC) by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
Consequently, the Foreign Ministry has directed these individuals not to be involved in Op Ihsan, which oversees the delivery of humanitarian aid from Malaysia to the people of Palestine in Gaza.
Op Ihsan secretariat chairman Jismi Johari confirmed the authenticity of the notification letter received from the Foreign Ministry's West Asia division.
The letter, intended for notification purposes only, informed Jismi about the three individuals listed on the FBI's TSC list.
Jismi expressed surprise that the document was leaked and circulated on social media, emphasising that it was a valid official notification from the ministry.
Op Ihsan is coordinated by the Foreign Ministry and involves over 50 NGOs, including Global Peace Mission (GPM) Malaysia, Red A Humanitarian Development Global, Mercy Malaysia, Pertubuhan Ihsan Johor, and the Malaysian Consultative Council of Islamic Organisations (MAPIM).
Jismi said plans to hold a meeting with the secretariat to discuss further actions following the notification.
He emphasised that the listing of the three individuals would not affect Op Ihsan's ongoing or future operations, as they are not directly involved in the activities.
Expressing disappointment over the leakage of the letter, Jismi said what had happened could create a negative perception of the three individuals involved.
"As much as possible, I do not want this matter to cause a commotion. But when this letter has been leaked, it's a pity for them.
"They have to answer, people's perception of them is what we don't want. We don't even know the extent of this FBI investigation, it might be just a suspicion," he said, adding that he chose to give them the benefit of the doubt.
In December, FBI director Christopher A. Wray visited Malaysia for discussions with government agencies, including the police and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, as a follow-up to his meeting with Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail in Washington the previous September.
Speaking to the New Straits Times during the visit, Wray said he decided to make the trip as the FBI considered Malaysia as one of its most important law enforcement and security partners.