While some have claimed that rampant corruption among the Indonesian military is hampering relief work in Aceh, three major organisations from Malaysia said they have not encountered such problems.

"We are a recognised international aid organisation. We are a neutral organisation, so we have not faced such problems," said Malaysian Red Crescent Society council member Wan Mahmood Pawan Teh at a press conference in Kuala Lumpur today.

Medical relief organisation Malaysia Healing Across Borders (Mercy) chief operating officer Shareen Shariza Abdul Ghani also said they have not received any such complaints from their members.

"Our medical relief work in Aceh is going smoothly. The security is also getting better there," she added when contacted.

Tzu Chi Foundation Malacca and Singapore branch chief executive officer David Chua said due to the close relations between the organisation and the Indonesian government, they have not faced any obstacles either.

"Our branch in Indonesia has been working with the Indonesian government even before the disaster," he said when contacted today.

Tzu Chi is a non-profit Buddhist organisation which has more than four million members worldwide. The foundation provides aid throughout the world, sending supplies to disaster victims and volunteers to help them rebuild their lives.

Yesterday, a malaysiakini report from Aceh stated that a Malaysian aid organisation was forced to bribe Indonesian military personnel before they were allowed to continue their journey.

Indonesian daily Jakarta Post today also reported that a number of foreign volunteers working in Aceh have expressed concern over 'fees collected' by Indonesian soldiers along the border between Medan, North Sumatra, and Banda Aceh.

SCAH's donation

Meanwhile, the Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (SCAH) today handed over a total of RM238,782 in cash to the Malaysian Red Crescent Society for the tsunami victims. The money was collected from various Chinese organisations.

SCAH president Bong Hon Liong said they will stop collecting the donations from today.

"We encourage generous people who would still like to donate, to donate directly to the Red Crescent Society," he told a press conference.

The money was received by Wan Mahmood, who assured that it will be audited.

"We will handle the money very carefully. Even a single cent will be audited, not only locally but also internationally," he said.