GEORGE TOWN: Penang Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Mohamad Abdul Hamid says the allegations levelled against him, the Penang State Islamic Religious Council (MAINPP) and Zakat MAINPP are malicious claims intended to create negative public perception.
Mohamad, who is MAINPP president, said the accusations circulating in recent months were not based on factual information.
"They are defamatory in nature with malicious intent," he said in a statement on Friday (March 13).
He noted that the statement referred to earlier explanations issued by MAINPP, including a media statement by its secretary dated Jan 26 and a press conference held on Jan 29.
Addressing the issue of the land purchase involving Lots 240, 264 and 265 in Mukim 3, South Seberang Prai, Mohamad said the proposal was introduced on Jan 15, 2021 and underwent several stages of scrutiny before approval.
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He said the process included valuation by the Valuation and Property Services Department and a review by MAINPP’s development, land affairs and assets committee before a final decision was made.
"The land was purchased based on the current market value determined by the Valuation Department, taking into account the land's condition, including its location near a new quarry route and high-voltage cables belonging to Tenaga Nasional Berhad," he said.
Mohamad added that the acquisition used tawaquf funds in line with MAINPP guidelines and aimed to strengthen Muslim land ownership while supporting development projects that would benefit the asnaf community.
He noted that the Penang Mufti clarified at the Jan 29 press conference that the purchase did not violate any religious ruling.
"There was no breach of any fatwa in the land purchase and there is no restriction for the land to be used for development for the benefit of the asnaf," he said.
On claims of family appointments within the institution, Mohamad said the matter involved a transfer appointment process within the public service scheme.
He said the process was carried out according to established procedures based on existing vacancies and approvals from the relevant authorities.
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Responding to allegations that his child had received a zakat scholarship, Mohamad said the claim was inaccurate.
He explained that the programme was a sponsorship initiative for graduates of the diploma programme at Kolej Islam Teknologi Antarabangsa Pulau Pinang to pursue further studies at universities in the Middle East under the asnaf fi sabilillah ( individuals striving in the path of Islam) category.
"Both my child and the Mufti’s child were eligible to be considered after undergoing the assessment process and passing screening by the Education Malaysia Jordan (EMJ) like other candidates.
"However, I declined the scholarship offer to my child," he said.
Mohamad added that the programme was open to all diploma graduates of the college who met the requirements, regardless of background, and noted that the recipients also included the child of an opposition assemblyman.
He also dismissed recurring allegations regarding overseas trips with family members, saying that the matter had previously been explained to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission in September.
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"The trip did not involve any government or agency funds and all costs were borne personally," he said.
Mohamad said the allegations not only created confusion but also tarnished the reputation and credibility of Islamic institutions in Penang.
He stressed that both he and MAINPP strongly denied any claims of abuse of power or misappropriation involving the matters raised.
"To defend the reputation and integrity of this institution, I personally, together with MAINPP and Zakat MAINPP, have initiated legal proceedings against those who spread the defamatory claims," he said.
Mohamad added that further action would be taken to safeguard the dignity and authority of the state’s main Islamic institution from being undermined for political purposes.
