Negri religious council welcomes MACC probe into claims of misappropriation of tithes

SEREMBAN: The Negri Sembilan Islamic Affairs Council (Mains) hopes the authorities will conduct a thorough probe into the allegations of misappropriation of tithes by certain officials.

In welcoming the statement by the Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission that it was reviewing the case, Mains chairman Datuk Seri Dr Abdul Aziz Syeikh Ab Kadir said it would give its full cooperation to the authorities on the matter.

"We welcome the statements by the MACC and the police to re-open investigations.

"Although the case was probed in 2019, we are committed to give our fullest cooperation to the agencies probing the allegations," he said in a statement.

Mains, he said, would not compromise on any form of misappropriation of zakat money.

He said the outcome of the investigation was important to clean Mains' image and restore the confidence of Muslims with regards to the management of tithes in the state.

On Monday (Feb 13), the MACC said it would re-investigate allegations of misappropriation of tithes in Mains.

Its senior director of investigations Datuk Seri Hishamuddin Hashim said although the matter was probed in 2019, it would review the evidence that it has.

"The investigation papers have now been referred back to the deputy public prosecutor and instructions have been issued to carry out further investigations into the resulting issues," he had said in a statement.

On Feb 9, the state MACC confirmed that it had probed Mains four years ago but found no alleged misuse of tithes.

Last week, state police chief Deputy Comm Datuk Ahmad Dzaffir Mohd Yussof confirmed that a report had also been lodged on the matter.

He said an investigation paper had been opened and anyone with information on the matter can contact the nearest police station.