Another zakat scandal involving Jamil?

Something must not be right when a person becomes the applicant and the approver at the same time. Even more suspicious is if an applicant applies for RM1 million and is granted RM4 million instead.

This is exactly the case with yet another controversy involving Jamil Khir Baharom (pic), minister in the Prime Minister’s Department in charge of Islamic affairs, who heads Yayasan Taqwa, a company handling zakat distribution under the purview of Federal Territories Islamic Affairs Council (MAIWP).

Yesterday, PAS Youth chief Nasrudin Hasan questioned Jamil’s conflicting role as MAIWP and Yayasan Taqwa chairman in the approval of a RM4 million fund from MAIWP's zakat fund.

“Why was Yayasan Taqwa granted RM4 million by MAIWP when it only applied for RM1 million," he asked.

"How can the same person apply and approve the money?”

Nasrudin also demanded Jamil to come clean on Yayasan Taqwa’s RM2 million expenditure for its staff of 18 people.

Earlier last week, Yayasan Taqwa explained that the RM2 million cost was inclusive of its administrative costs, programmes, salaries and utility bills.

Nasrudin however said Jamil must reveal the details of the expenditure.

“This is to remove any doubts,” he stressed.

He also questioned why Yayasan Taqwa was set up as its role was made redundant by the existence of MAIWP.

“So why do you need a middle man?" he asked.

-Harakahdaily