MACC submits proposals to improve governance of non-Muslim worship sites

 This follows investigations into cases that failed to carry out maintenance projects despite receiving government funding.

MACC’s recommendations include requiring all non-Muslim houses of worship to be registered with the Registrar of Societies. (Envato Elements pics)

PETALING JAYA:

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission has submitted six recommendations to the housing and local government ministry to improve governance, financial management, and the disbursement of maintenance assistance for non-Muslim houses of worship.

The recommendations were presented in a report by the Negeri Sembilan MACC to the ministry’s deputy secretary-general (housing and community wellbeing), Zulkeflee Sulaiman, in Putrajaya today.

They include requiring every non-Muslim house of worship to be registered with the Registrar of Societies or under a legally recognised organisation in accordance with relevant religious laws.

“MACC recommends that extensions of project deadlines be granted only under exceptional circumstances, and that a specific procedure be introduced for the return of unused funds or where a non-Muslim house of worship is found to have breached the conditions of its application,” Bernama reported the commission as saying.

It said the recommendations followed investigations into cases involving non-Muslim houses of worship that failed to carry out maintenance projects despite receiving funding from the ministry.

It also called for the introduction of a more detailed repair works form, as well as physical site inspection report forms to be completed by technical teams and accompanied by photographs from site visits.

The sixth recommendation proposes the inclusion of a provision under Section 18 of the MACC Act 2009 requiring applicants to certify that all documents and information submitted by the non-Muslim houses of worship are accurate and comply with applicable regulations.

Zulkeflee, who received the report from Negeri Sembilan MACC director Awangkok Ahmad Taufik Putra Awang Ismail, said the ministry will study the recommendations.  - FMT