In its application, filed at the High Court registry yesterday through solicitors Law Practice of Rafique, the NGO sought for the anti-graft agency to lift the freeze order made on Nov 24 under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act.

It also sought a mandamus order from the court for the freeze on some RM11 million in the bank accounts to be immediately lifted.

Aman Palestin likewise sought an order for MACC and its officers to amend the freeze order under the act so that the funds could be utilised for daily expenses, the payment of salaries, administrative fees, and assistance for the Palestinians over the next three months.

It also wants a declaration allowing it to collect public donations to assist the victims of the Hamas-Israel war without MACC interference, as well as damages, costs and other relief deemed fit by the court.

Aman Palestin said it had resorted to legal recourse as the freeze order was illegal, irrational, unreasonable and an abuse of power.

It named MACC chief Azam Baki, MACC senior director of investigation Hishamuddin Hashim, the agency’s anti-money laundering division director Zamri Zainul Abidin, and the government as respondents.

Aman Palestin gave MACC three days last December to unfreeze its bank accounts, failing which it said the anti-graft agency risked facing legal action.

Azam said at the time that MACC was ready to defend itself in court.

MACC froze 41 bank accounts belonging to Aman Palestin and several other companies with a combined total of RM15.8 million as part of an investigation into the NGO’s alleged misappropriation of RM70 million.

The investigation involved claims that Aman Palestin had funnelled the money to the companies in question.

The case is being investigated under the MACC Act 2009, the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001, and the Penal Code.