The decision was made by the Minister of Social Affairs after a series of investigations launched in 2018. At least 19 suspects were arrested. The executives of the non-profit organization would have spent significant sums on properties and cars.
Jakarta () – The Indonesian government today froze the funds of the non-profit organization Aksi Cepat Tanggap (ACT). The authorities accuse the NGO of raising funds for the Al Qaeda terrorist network.
The decision was made by Muhadjir Effendi, Minister of Social Affairs, whose responsibility ranges from granting permits to revoking the operations of charity groups. The move should serve “as a deterrent against any potential case” of terrorist financing, the minister told a news conference.
The Indonesian Center for Information and Analysis of Financial Transactions (PPATK) confirmed the suspension of all ACT transactions in its 60 bank accounts. “Based on coordinated investigations with other security agencies, there is a potential suspicion that ACT broke the law, said Ivan Yustiavandana, head of PPATK, which has been investigating the case since 2018.
Among those suspected of links to terrorist groups are 19 Indonesians detained by Turkish authorities who allegedly moved funds worth more than half a million euros.
the local weekly Tempo was the first to break the news: According to research published in the magazine, much of the donations received by ACT were used by its managers to buy properties and cars. A few days ago, the president of the NGO, Ibnu Khajar, had declared that ACT had earmarked 13.7% of the donations for operating expenses. It should be noted, however, that Indonesian law prohibits NGO operating costs from exceeding 10% of the donations they receive.
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