Almost RM5,000 of tithe (zakat) funds has been used to pay for “propaganda” material, claimed an opposition MP today.
Mahfuz Omar (PAS-Pokok Sena) said that Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Jamil Khir Baharom in charge of Islamic affairs, had bought 250 copies of a book entitled ‘Bukti PAS Bukan Parti Islam’ (Proof PAS is not an Islamic Party) using that money.
Mahfuz alleged that Jamil had ordered Yayasan Taqwa, an incorporated body under the Federal Territory Islamic Religious Council entrusted to manage the tithe money, to pay RM4,975 for the books.
However, it is not clear that zakat money was used for the payment.
“This is clearly an abuse of abuse of power by the minister... zakat should be used to help the less fortunate,” rebuked the MP.
He also handed out copies of a letter signed by Jamil’s senior private secretary Ab Jabar Mohamad Aris to the media, asking Yayasan Taqwa’s general manager Ahmad Ayob Ibrahim to make the payment to one Ramesh Rao.
It is stated in the letter that Ramesh is general manager of RR Media, and believed to be the publisher of the books.
Also attached with the letter were transaction documents including the quotation and the invoice between RR Media and Jamil’s ministry.
“The books, I believe, were distributed to muezzins and imams from Kedah who attended a three-series course in Bangi early this year,” said Mahfuz.
“The issue is not distribution of the books but the usage of zakat money,” he added.
Mahfuz however, kept mum on how he obtained the documents concerned but urged that an investigation be conducted.
Mahfuz Omar (PAS-Pokok Sena) said that Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Jamil Khir Baharom in charge of Islamic affairs, had bought 250 copies of a book entitled ‘Bukti PAS Bukan Parti Islam’ (Proof PAS is not an Islamic Party) using that money.
Mahfuz alleged that Jamil had ordered Yayasan Taqwa, an incorporated body under the Federal Territory Islamic Religious Council entrusted to manage the tithe money, to pay RM4,975 for the books.
However, it is not clear that zakat money was used for the payment.
“This is clearly an abuse of abuse of power by the minister... zakat should be used to help the less fortunate,” rebuked the MP.
He also handed out copies of a letter signed by Jamil’s senior private secretary Ab Jabar Mohamad Aris to the media, asking Yayasan Taqwa’s general manager Ahmad Ayob Ibrahim to make the payment to one Ramesh Rao.
It is stated in the letter that Ramesh is general manager of RR Media, and believed to be the publisher of the books.
Also attached with the letter were transaction documents including the quotation and the invoice between RR Media and Jamil’s ministry.
“The books, I believe, were distributed to muezzins and imams from Kedah who attended a three-series course in Bangi early this year,” said Mahfuz.
“The issue is not distribution of the books but the usage of zakat money,” he added.
Mahfuz however, kept mum on how he obtained the documents concerned but urged that an investigation be conducted.
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