Charity Group ACT under Scrutiny over Fantastic Executives’ Salaries

Stefani Wijaya, Fana Suparman
July 5, 2022 | 4:35 pm
SHARE
Volunteers distribute free meals provided by charity organization Aksi Cepat Tanggap (ACT) at Sidoarjo Great Mosque complex in East Java on June 10, 2022. (Antara PhotoUmarul Faruq)
Volunteers distribute free meals provided by charity organization Aksi Cepat Tanggap (ACT) at Sidoarjo Great Mosque complex in East Java on June 10, 2022. (Antara PhotoUmarul Faruq)

Jakarta. The anti-money laundering agency and even the counter-terrorism squad Detachment 88 have said they are investigating Muslim charity organization Aksi Cepat Tanggap (ACT) following reports of alleged misappropriations by its executives.

A recent report by Tempo magazine revealed that the group’s founder and former chairman Ahyudin was paid Rp 250 million in monthly salary using the public fund meant for charity.

Other executives such as vice presidents and directors were entitled to a monthly salary of between Rp 50 million and Rp 150 million.

The group managed Rp 540 billion of public funds between 2018 and 2020. ACT also received Rp 135 billion in funding from U.S. aircraft manufacturer Boeing to build 91 school buildings as compensation for the October 28, 2018 fatal flight of a Lion Air plane, according to Tempo.

Advertisement

Sources told the magazine that part of Boeing's money was used in another ACT spending unrelated to the compensation program.

The Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK) said on Monday they have received reports from financial institutions on suspicious transactions from ACT accounts.

“There are indications of personal interests and alleged illegal activities,” PPATK Head Ivan Yustiavandana said of ACT bank transfers.

Ivan implied that the alleged illegal activities involved terrorism funding but he didn’t go into details because the agency has no authority to launch a criminal investigation.

The agency also found that ACT had transferred money to a foreign country but Ivan declined to elaborate.

Chief Comr. Aswin Siregar, a senior officer with Detachment 88, confirmed on Tuesday investigation into alleged terrorism funding by ACT is underway.

The bombshell report also reached the House of Representatives, where a Muslim figure called on the government to terminate ACT licenses.

“Public funding collected in the name of humanitarian assistance and religious charity should not be used against the will of donors,” said Maman Imanulhaq, a lawmaker for the National Awakening Party (PKB). 

“There is concern that charity organizations like ACT are committed to unjust activities that really hurt human values,” he said.

ACT has claimed that they channeled humanitarian assistance to Palestine and helped collect funds for the construction of a mosque in Australia.

The organization often visited disaster victims and advertised on social media websites to collect donations.

However, the Tempo report said that ACT took a huge share of the fund in the absence of a transparent funding system.

Ahyudin told the magazine he was “forced to resign” on January 11 by other executives but denied any wrongdoing.

Tags: Keywords:
SHARE

Related Articles


News May 19, 2025 | 3:48 am

Over 28,000 Accounts Blocked in Crackdown on Online Gambling: PPATK

The mass account freeze has triggered public concern in recent days, with several internet users voicing complaints.
News May 8, 2025 | 3:01 am

Online Gambling Turnover Reaches Rp 47 Trillion in Q1, Drops Nearly by Half

The figure represents a significant drop from the Rp 90 trillion ($5.4 billion) online gambling turnover in the same period last year.
News May 1, 2025 | 9:21 pm

Indonesia Freezes Rp 600 Billion in Bank Accounts Linked to Online Gambling

Indonesian authorities have observed a rising number of citizens voluntarily entering the online gambling industry abroad.
News Jan 18, 2025 | 10:36 am

US DEA Commends Indonesia's BNN and PPATK for Their Fight Against Narcotics and Financial Crimes

US DEA honors BNN and PPATK for their contributions to combating transnational drug trafficking and money laundering.

The Latest


News 4 hours ago

US Officials Say Attacks on Nuclear Sites Are Meant to Force Iran Back to Negotiation Table

Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, responded: “I don’t know how much room is left for diplomacy.”
News 4 hours ago

Suicide Bomber Kills At Least 20 in Greek Orthodox Church in Syria During Divine Liturgy

The attack comes as Damascus, under its de facto Islamist rule, is trying to win the support of minorities.
News 8 hours ago

Indonesia Condemns Canadian Website for Advertising Its Islands for Sale

Minister Nusron Wahid said Sunday that no private ownership or sale of entire islands is permitted under Indonesian law.
Lifestyle 16 hours ago

‘Love Is in the Air’: BTV Semesta Berpesta Delights Thousands in Bogor

Held at Yon Bekang Field, the event marked the third edition of the 2025 tour, following earlier successful shows in Palembang and Bandung.
News 16 hours ago

Jakarta Aims to Stay Indonesia’s Economic Powerhouse as Capital Relocation Looms

Pramono outlined his vision to position the city among the top 50 most competitive global cities.
COPYRIGHT © 2025 JAKARTA GLOBE. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED