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MISAPPROPRIATION of public donations, including charity contributions and alms (infak), is emerging as a serious concern in Malaysia following an increase in opaque fund management and allegations of personal enrichment.
The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has launched investigations into more than five non-governmental organisations (NGOs) that raise funds from the public, including groups collecting donations in the name of Palestine.
In addition to NGOs, individuals, including social media influencers, have been identified as actively soliciting donations from the public under the pretext of charitable purposes.
MACC Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said investigators have identified various modus operandi after opening inquiries into suspected parties.
He warned that the growing prevalence of public fundraising, or crowdfunding, has created opportunities for abuse due to the lack of transparent checks and balances.
“Many assume that public funds only refer to government money, but MACC investigations show that charitable NGOs misappropriating donations from the public can also face action. Investigations reveal that the parties involved often gain immediate profit, sometimes amounting to millions of ringgit, from donations given to the NGOs.
A significant portion of the funds was transferred to personal accounts believed to belong to senior management of these organisations. This is very distressing because people donate in the name of charity and religion,” he told Berita Harian.
Azam noted that the rise of social media platforms such as TikTok and Facebook has accelerated fundraising activities, making it easier for virtually anyone to solicit donations online.
This year alone, at least four NGOs involved in humanitarian aid have been investigated by MACC for suspected misappropriation of funds.
On 25 February, an organisation linked to a mosque committee, which regularly sponsors iftar programmes, was raided after three individuals, including the chairman and treasurer, were arrested for allegedly submitting falsified documents relating to basic food donation programmes worth approximately RM5 million.
Earlier, on 5 February, the secretary of a prominent NGO advocating for the people of Gaza, Palestine, was detained over alleged embezzlement of around RM4.2 million.
The following day, an independent preacher and the head of finance and accounting at a religious education institution were remanded for suspected involvement in the misuse of approximately RM1.3 million in public funds.
MACC in Kedah also remanded two individuals, including an independent preacher, over suspected abuse of authority to approve about RM600,000 in funds as payment to raise money for a religious education institution.
In January, a former NGO chairman faced charges in the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court for misappropriating RM207,000 collected for humanitarian missions to Myanmar, Yemen, Syria, and Palestine nearly seven years ago.
Investigations last year also uncovered alleged misappropriation of RM26 million by a Melaka-based charity.
In cases involving Aman Palestin, the NGO raising funds for Palestinians, several senior officials have been charged with breach of trust, fraud, and money laundering.
MACC froze 41 bank accounts linked to Aman Palestin and several associated companies, involving RM15.8 million, as part of an investigation into alleged misappropriation of RM70 million.
In 2024, social media influencers Alif Teega and Aisyah Hijanah were arrested and remanded over allegations of misusing over RM1.52 million in publicly donated funds, and were subsequently charged in the Sessions Court for embezzlement.
These cases highlight the growing need for greater transparency and accountability in public fundraising and charity operations, as authorities continue to clamp down on the misuse of donations intended for humanitarian and religious purposes. - March 18, 2026