Is it charity?

Pokok Sena Umno youth chief Mohd Farhan Ahmad says Akmal (centre) was simply upholding tradition, which embodies community spirit rather than criminality. — MUHAMAD SHAHRIL ROSLI/The Star

Is Umno Youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh’s “duit raya” to police personnel charity or corruption?

Last week, the controversial Dr Akmal jumped into another controversy when he uploaded a video of himself distributing money (RM20 per person, according to him) to police officers in Jasin, Melaka.

The politician has been much in the news lately for leading the boycott campaign against the KK Supermart over the “Allah” socks issue.

Akmal defended his move. He explained that it was the month of Ramadan – the month of charity.

“It would be different if I had given it during a month of elections or I had given it under the table with the intention of getting something in return,” said the Jasin Umno chairman and Merlimau state assemblyman.

“Those attacking me should know that I will not stop giving out alms to appreciate those who keep my constituency (Merlimau) – be they cleaners, police or the lower income groups.”

His explanation still begs the question – is it charity or corruption?

Who decides if it is corruption? The giver? The receiver? The public? The law?

Obviously, for the giver – Dr Akmal – it is charity, not corruption.

Even if the receiver receives the duit raya willingly or reluctantly, they are forced to say it is charity and not corruption, to save their face and the face of the giver.

For public opinion, the public – in general – is not so happy with this practice. In my social bubble, nine out of 10 Malaysians will say it is corruption.

Fundamentally, it is about the law.

So far, nothing of such nature has been put to the test in law.

In a WhatsApp message I received, Pokok Sena Umno youth chief Mohd Farhan Ahmad said that Akmal was simply upholding tradition, which embodies community spirit rather than criminality.

He said that Akmal’s action reflects the values entrenched in Malay customs and the guidelines of the Public Service Circular No. 3 of 1998.

“This circular, while rightly guarding against corruption, does not diminish the cultural significance of ‘duit raya’ – a gesture of goodwill extended during the festive season as a token of respect and appreciation,” Mohd Farhan said.

However, lawyer Mohamed Haniff Khatri Abdulla, as reported in The Star, said such an act was inappropriate. He pointed out that there was a “huge difference” when ang pow or duit raya was given to common individuals and public servants.

According to him, any party who wished to give duit raya should do so for deserving and eligible individuals from impoverished communities or underprivileged school students.

“It would have been acceptable if an off-duty policeman was at a public event with his family and ang pow was given out to all those attending the function,” he said.

“However, no public servant on duty or in uniform should be handed or receive cash gifts. Police personnel should reject it when it is given to them.”

Mohamed Haniff added: “Do not use the excuse of festive seasons to do this because it appears wrong in the eyes of the public. Why start this bad habit.”

It was also reported that S.N. Nair, a lawyer and former senior police officer, cautioned that giving duit raya or ang pow over or under the counter to police personnel was wrong.

“Akmal being an elected representative, should have been sensitive when dealing with the police personnel. I feel very bad for the hardworking cops who were put to such scrutiny because of his obvious political agenda,” Nair was reported as saying.

“If he is as altruistic as he claims, he should make generous contributions to the police welfare funds.”

What the two lawyers said is food for thought – or something to think over “duit kopi” in the Malaysian context.

Should it be put to the test – duit raya to civil servants – so that in the future, the giver or receiver knows whether it is charity or corruption?

There’s also the question of “how much” corruption is.

How much is corruption?

Is it 10 ringgit? Is it 20 ringgit? Or RM2.6 bil?

If a police officer stops a traffic offender, and the driver gives RM20, is that considered charity?

It is interesting to see if any action is taken against the RM20 giver. If there’s no action, is there a corruption law that draws the line between charity and corruption?

Dr Akmal has also attracted controversy with his call for the boycott of KK Mart.

Those in my social bubble want to know what he is consistent about – religion or politics?