Former PKR leader and Islamic preacher Badrulamin Bahron has come to the defence of his niece Marhamah Rosli over her appointment as the new deputy minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs).
This follows criticisms levelled at Marhamah and Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim for bringing the activist into the federal administration, as social media was set abuzz with allegations about her background.
In a statement on Facebook, Badrulamin addressed issues that netizens had raised, namely her role in the “Justice for Zara (Qairina Mahathir)” campaign and its donation drive for the family of the student whose death was linked to bullying.
Marhamah was also accused of being involved in a gold investment scam and the New Age Movement.
He clarified that Marhamah and the NGOs involved in collecting public donations for the 13-year-old girl’s family had acquired a permit from the Sabah Chief Minister's Office, while the police had also been notified.
"Internal audit (on the collection) has also been carried out and reported to the police.
"The fund collected was used to help (Zara's) family and witnesses to attend meetings and prepare for the inquest and proceedings at court.
"Marhamah's name was not used in any of the accounts, but on the contrary, (the accounts) were on the names of lawyers, Zara's mother and NGO representatives," Badrulamin said.
Earlier, Bernama reported Marhamah as saying that no funds were misused in the management of the “Justice for Zara” campaign.
She stressed that a complete report up to November 2025 had been prepared.
“We are fully prepared to submit everything to the authorities for audit,” she said.
‘Marhamah also a scam victim’
On the accusations that the new deputy minister was involved in a gold scam - where its victims were said to have suffered losses amounting to RM14 million - Badrulamin claimed Marhamah was also a victim in the case.
According to the former PKR central leadership member, his niece was not an agent for the scheme, and she had given her full cooperation to the police investigation.
Badrulamin also rubbished claims that Marhamah had adopted the New Age teaching, which several religious leaders have warned is against the mainstream Ahli Sunnah Wal-Jamaah.
He said the linking of Marhamah with the New Age Movement was only an issue of perception, and "there is no evidence provided by any party or admission by Marhamah herself that she practises New Age."
‘Universal spiritual nature’
He explained that the issue came about because Marhamah was involved in programmes and dialogues with a universal spiritual nature.
"Her use of language or symbols that are interpreted as being aligned with New Age concepts - an interfaith or liberal spirituality approach with unclear boundaries of aqidah (belief).
"My conclusion is this - Islam teaches us to practise the concept of balance, however, Islam also emphasises the aspects of wisdom (hikmah) and tabayyun - to verify facts and avoid slander - to be firm in matters of creed, gentle in social dealings (muamalah), and to evaluate ideas and approaches rather than judging intentions without evidence," he added.
Malaysiakini has contacted Marhamah for comments.
Yesterday, the prime minister announced an extensive cabinet reshuffle, which saw two ministers axed while several others had portfolio changes.
The announcement also saw several new faces, including Marhamah, an ustazah (religious teacher) from Sabah with a law degree from the International Islamic University Malaysia. - Mkini
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