National Oversight and Whistleblower (NOW) director Akmal Nasir says a minister, the minister's wife and others in the entourage travelled to the US and also went shopping there, spending funds from an Islamic charity foundation. – The Malaysian Insider pic, November 13, 2015.After a series of exposes on alleged misappropriation of funds at an Islamic charity foundation, an anti-corruption group today accused Yayasan Pembangunan Ekonomi Islam Malaysia (Yapeim) of funding a federal minister's US trip last year using cash from donations meant for orphans.
National Oversight and Whistleblower (NOW) director Akmal Nasir alleged the trip took place between May 21 and May 29, last year, when the minister and his entourage, which included his wife, visited the city of Washington DC, Minnesota and Iowa.
He told a press conference in Kuala Lumpur today that expenses for the visit was paid for by an institution under the purview of Yapeim.
Citing documents billed to Yapeim's Yayasan Pembangunan Anak Yatim/Miskin (Pemangkin), he said the eight-day trip – which costs about RM410,978 – included activities such as golfing, shopping and a trip to an outlet that sells luxury items in Washington DC.
He claimed the minister's wife was also part of the entourage.
"What is sad, is that these payments are made through Pemangkin for which the money was meant to help orphans and the poor," he said.
"Although the trip's objective was to 'strengthen and empower Yapeim's Kelab Santun, the trip had nothing to do with charity work,"
For example, he said transportation fees to the upscale outlet alone cost about RM5,908.35.
“I am certain this disclosure can reach beyond the imagination of the people, wondering how can an Islamic foundation under the prime minister's watch be abused for activities like golfing or shopping, and all,"
He said NOW is demanding a thorough investigation into Yapeim and other institutions under the charity foundation and that their spendings is checked and audited openly.
"The investigation should also track down the amount of losses due to leakages and misuse of power.
"The donations are for the orphans. Many people go on official trips outside the country but if the donations are used for leisure such as this, it has deviated from the objective and it is wrong." he said.
This is NOW's fourth exposé on Yapeim.
The Malaysian Insider is still trying to get responses from the federal minister and Yapeim.
In a Berita Harian report today, Yapeim said it was prepared to cooperate with the authorities over allegations of wrongdoing in its administration, management and operations.
Its director-general Datuk Abibullah Samsudin said the foundation always held to the principles of shariah and high integrity in its management and operations.
"Yapeim is governed by a board of trustee and a shariah committee that constantly monitors the foundation's operations since its establishment. It is also audited by the Auditor-General's Department,
"Hence, we are always open and will give full cooperation to any investigating authority if there is wrongdoing in our administration, management and operations," Yapeim said in a statement to the Malay daily. – November 13, 2015.
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