How will RM956mil for Jakim be spent, asks MP

 

Ngeh Koo Ham says the allocation for Jakim is higher than the amount allocated to the foreign affairs ministry, national unity ministry and plantation industries and commodities ministry.

KUALA LUMPUR: A DAP MP has urged the government to list out the expenditure of the Islamic development department (Jakim) as its budget for next year is higher than that of some ministries.

Ngeh Koo Ham (PH-Beruas) said Jakim had been allocated RM956 million under Budget 2022.

“This is higher than the allocation for the foreign affairs ministry (RM868 million), national unity ministry and plantation industries and commodities ministry (RM671.5 million).

“I urge the government to be transparent by asking Jakim to list its expenditure details,” said Ngeh when debating the national budget in the Dewan Rakyat today.

He further pointed out that the allocation for managing Islamic affairs has increased every year, from RM1.2 billion in 2019 to RM1.3 billion in 2020, RM1.4 billion in 2021 and RM1.5 billion next year.

Claiming that the budget was race-based and unfair, he said it should instead reflect the Malaysian Family concept.

“Preferential treatment according to race and religion can cause disharmony,” he added.

Many MPs have been up in arms over the budget, all calling it race-based and an election budget. - FMT