GEORGE TOWN: Penang Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Mohamad Abdul Hamid spent about seven hours at the Malaysian Anti‑Corruption Commission (MACC) office to give a statement regarding alleged abuse of power in the purchase of land involving zakat funds.
The state PKR chairman and Penang State Islamic Religious Council (MAINPP) president and Batu Maung first-term assemblyman arrived at the MACC building at about 9.40am yesterday in a white sport utility vehicle, accompanied by his assistant. He left the premises at 4.10pm.
Meanwhile, MACC has so far recorded statements from 63 individuals in connection with the allegations.
Sources said the individuals were called in stages after the investigation paper opened in January. MACC is also scrutinising several bank accounts suspected to be linked to the alleged offences.
Among those summoned were MAINPP officers and staff members, the Mufti, State Secretary, State Financial Officer and the State Legal Adviser.
At the same time, members of the state Zakat Board, including its officers and staff, were also called to assist in the probe.
“Initial investigations found that the main suspect, a senior state government official, together with a member of the MAINPP, allegedly used their positions to propose and approve the purchase of three plots of land valued at about RM10mil.
“In a separate case under investigation, the main suspect and the state Zakat Distribution general manager are alleged to have misused approximately RM184,000 in zakat funds under the Skim Inapan Kasih and Financial Assistance scheme to settle the outstanding housing loan of an asnaf (a person who is eligible to receive zakat) recipient without adhering to established procedures,” a source said.
MACC opened the investigation following allegations raised by a state assemblyman during the state Legislative Assembly sitting late last year.
Mohamad had said he was ready to be summoned by MACC to assist in the probe and that he would fully cooperate with the investigation.
He had also said that the MAINPP and its zakat collection body had handed over the relevant documents to the anti-graft agency.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow has reportedly said the state government would give MACC full latitude to conduct an independent investigation into the case and would neither interfere nor initiate its own internal probe.
Penang PAS information chief Muhammad Fawwaz Muhammad Jan has called for Mohamad’s resignation, claiming the case eroded public trust in the state’s religious institutions.
