SEREMBAN: Police have recorded statements from 11 people in a probe of alleged misappropriation of tithes belonging to the Negri Sembilan Islamic Affairs Council (MAINS).
State police chief Deputy Comm Datuk Ahmad Dzaffir Mohd Yussof said the investigation paper on the case was re-submitted to the state prosecutor's office on Thursday (March 2).
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"The 11 are employed in various (capacities) and related to the probe.
"We are now waiting for instructions from the prosecutor's office for the next course of action," he told reporters at state police contingent headquarters here on Monday (March 6).
Asked if the police had also interviewed non-MAINS employees, DCP Ahmad Dzaffir said all those connected to the allegations were questioned but did not elaborate.
The case is being investigated under Section 409 of the Penal Code concerning criminal breach of trust (CBT) committed by public servants, which carries a jail term of up to 20 years, whipping and a fine upon conviction.
Asked if others would be called in to give their statements, DCP Ahmad Dzaffir said this would depend on the feedback from the state prosecutor's office.
ALSO READ: MACC reopens probe against Negri Islamic Affairs Council
On Feb 20, DCP Ahmad Dzaffir said police had begun investigating possible CBT following allegations that tithes had been misappropriated by certain MAINS personnel.
On Feb 13, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) also said it would had also said it would reopen its probe over the claims of misappropriation.
Its senior director of investigations Datuk Seri Hishamuddin Hashim said although the matter was investigated in 2019, MACC would review the evidence.
This came after allegations of misappropriation went viral on social media recently.
Earlier last month, the state MACC confirmed that it had probed MAINS four years ago but found no alleged misuse of tithes.
Following this, council chairman Datuk Seri Dr Abdul Aziz Syeikh Ab Kadir said MAINS would give its full cooperation to the authorities and would not compromise if any misuse of zakat money had occurred.
ALSO READ: Negri religious council welcomes MACC probe into claims of misappropriation of tithes
Asked if police had found any elements of wrongdoing so far, DCP Ahmad Dzaffir said that was up to the state prosecutor to decide.
"I would also like to advise the public not to speculate or make allegations on social media as investigations are still ongoing," he said, adding that action can be taken against anyone who posts fake or offensive content online.
