Minister in Charge of Islamic Affairs Jamil Khir Baharom has been urged to explain the alleged misuse of Federal Territory Islamic Council’s (MAIWP) zakat (tithe) funds for legal payments.

In a statement today, PKR information chief Nik Nazmi Nik Mat said the funds, which are supposed to be used for the poor, cannot be used for other purposes.

NONE“Jamil Khir (right) should not remain silent on this issue and swiftly respond to the allegations which is definitely causing unease among Muslims,” said Nik Nazmi.

Referring to an open letter by former Kuala Lumpur CID director Mat Zain Ibrahim today, Nik Nazmi pointed out that there had been a precedent where abuse of zakat funds resulted in a jail term.

Mat Zain wrote to the Inspector-General of Police Ismail Omar to point out that a former imam in Kulaijaya, Johor, was given a four-year jail sentence coupled with three lashes of the cane.

The former imam was found guilty of abusing RM19,510 from zakat funds, but was punished despite returning the money.

In the case of MAIWP, the funds were used as advance legal payments for Jamil Khir, Federal Territory Islamic Department director Che Mat Che Ali and its chief prosecutor Shamsuddin Hussain.

Scholars urged to speak up

The Audit Department had confirmed that the RM63,650 in funds were used to pay lawyers in June 2010 to represent the trio over a case brought by Anwar Ibrahim at the Syariah Court.

However, the department states that MAIWP was reimbursed after the council obtained a RM700,000 grant the same month, as its general resources allocation from the government.

In view of the sentence on the former imam from Kulaijaya, Nik Nazmi said that there should be no double standards in law enforcement.

“Is there a difference between a normal person and a minister?” he asked.

Meanwhile, Federal Territories PAS Youth has urged all religious scholars to condemn the wrongful use of zakat funds in order to protect the zakat institution.

“For us, the issue on whether the money was eventually returned does not arise. The crux of the matter that needs to be answered is whether the funds can be used for personal use by government officials,” said Federal Territories PAS Youth deputy chief Mohd Suhaimi Abdul Aziz.

Mohd Suhaimi said Jamil Khir should rightfully set a proper example and manage the zakat funds properly.