Jamil Khir denies abusing funds for orphans and the poor

PETALING JAYA: Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom denies using funds meant for orphans and the poor acquired from public contributions for an overseas trip with his wife, and has threatened legal action. 

He was responding to a statement by Akmal Nasir, the director of National Oversight and Whistleblowers (NOW), who had claimed that the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department had used the funds to go shopping and play golf in the US. 

Jamil Khir, who is the minister in charge of religious affairs, said that the allegations made against him were slanderous and misleading. 

He added that the accusation that he had misused the funds was a deliberate attempt to damage his credibility and dignity as a Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department. 

He said that there was nothing to hide because his visit followed the necessary procedures and formalities.

Jamil Khir also said that the documents allegedly used as evidence by the accusers were confusing.

“It is unfair to only display documents that are confusing and which do not show the entirety of my programme,” he said in a statement Friday. 

“I am always open and ready to fully cooperate and work with the authorities to investigate any wrongdoing involving myself or any of the agencies under my supervision,” Jamil Khir added. 

He asked that Akmal Nasir and the Malaysian Insider retract their allegations against him, and apologise within 24 hours. 

He said that if they failed to do so, he would take legal action against them for defamation. 

Jamil Khir added that the trip, which took place in May 2014, was organised by agencies under his supervision, namely the Malaysian Islamic Economic Development Foundation (YaPEIM) with the help of the Malaysian Embassy in US and the Education Malaysia (EM) Chicago.

The event was held in conjunction with the launching of the Mid West Game in the US which had gathered together more than 1,000 students from US and Canada.

Jamil Khir said that it was his responsibility as a Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department to attend the official ceremony organised by the embassy especially since the programme organised by the agencies fell under his supervision.