MAIJ supplier tops up aid to disabled zakat applicant

The supplier accused of "misappropriation" of zakat aid approved by the Johor Islamic Affairs Council (MAIJ) for a disabled man has "settled" the issue by topping up the in-kind assistance by about RM3,000.

"This case is resolved. I have met with Azizan (Ja'far) and settled whatever that is owed. You can call him yourself for details," the supplier, only identified as Rizal, told Malaysiakini.

Rizal is named by MAIJ as a supplier attached to company Sharezone, which had been appointed by MAIJ to supply and distribute ‘bantuan berdikari' (assistance to help individuals be self-reliant).

When contacted, Azizan confirmed that the supplier had taken him to a store in Muar on Wednesday to purchase equipment for his traditional healing ‘bekam' (cupping) business.

They include a reflexology chair, a bed and an infrared light machine.

"Rizal had paid for the items in cash, which makes me believe that he was already paid by MAIJ but did not buy equipment of the approved value," he said.

Even including the new equipment, the total value of in-kind aid is still lower than RM4,850 approved by MAIJ in 2012.

"But he has apologised and tried to make it right, and as a Muslim, I must accept and consider this matter solved. My only hope is that other cases are also solved," he said.

Appeal for MACC report retraction

According to Azizan, Rizal took him to buy the equipment after a meeting involving seven people including representatives from the Muar Islamic Affairs Department and MAIJ at his home in Muar.

Azizan said all the representatives apologised for what had happened, although they still maintain that there was no "misappropriation" of zakat funds.

They also appealed to Azizan, who is permanently disabled after a road accident, to retract his complaint lodged with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and Malaysiakini.

"But I don't agree that it is not misappropriation. What else can it be? It's like how (Malays) call pigs 'khinzir' instead of 'babi' to be more polite," he said.

Yesterday, Malaysiakini reported that Azizan had lodged a report with the MACC over alleged abuse of zakat funds when the in-kind assistance he received did not match the delivery order.

He said that the items - a towel warmer and six ‘bekam' cups - both retailed for a total of below RM800 and not RM4,500 as stated in the delivery order. The cups are traditionally used to relief pain and other body ailments.

In its reply to Malaysiakini, MAIJ denied misappropriation of zakat funds and said that it had instructed the supplier to deliver the items - an industrial autoclave and six high quality ‘bekam' cups - worth RM4,850.

Asked of complaints that some disabled and poor Muslims were denied zakat and were forced to turn to loan sharks, MAIJ said not all disabled are poor and therefore their applications failed to meet its criteria.

"MAIJ is committed to helping those who deserve of zakat assistance," it said.