A PKR-linked non-governmental organisation has urged the Auditor-General to explain conflicting claims over the alleged zakat abuse by minister in the Prime Minister's Department Jamil Khir Baharom and two other high ranking officials.
Jingga 13's coordinator Fariz Musa, in a letter delivered today to Ambrin Buang, the Auditor-General, said his clarification was crucial to clear confusion arising from a statement by Jamil that no zakat fund had been touched, contrary to the AG Report's claim.
Last November, the Auditor-General confirmed that Jamil, Federal Territory Religious Department (JAWI) director-general Che Mat Ali and Shariah chief prosecutor Shamsuddin Hussain had taken out RM63,650 from zakat funds to pay law firm Zainul Rijal Talha & Amir for legal services rendered in a suit against them by PKR de-facto leader Anwar Ibrahim.
The suit was over the delay in following up Anwar's application on qazaf (false accusation of illicit sex according to Shariah) against Saiful Bukhari Azlan.
Pressured for a response, Jamil denied that zakat funds had been used, saying the Federal Territory Islamic Religious Council (MAIWP) settled the legal fees through a RM700,000 government grant to the council.
According to Fariz, Jamil's denial had clearly undermined the AG.
He pointed out that on June 21 last year, Jamil's deputy Mashitah Ibrahim had admitted in a parliamentary answer to Machang member of parliament Saifuddin Nasution that zakat funds had been used to settle legal fees. This he said, was confirmed by the Public Accounts Committee based on the Auditor General's report dated November 21.
Jingga 13 said although the money had been repaid to MAIWP, the crux of the issue was the act of using zakat funds.
“The credibility and integrity of the Auditor General's Department are being questioned and undermined by Jamil Khir Baharom,” said Fariz.
-Harakahdaily
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