THE Malaysian Islamic Economic Development Foundation (Yapeim) has extended the suspension of director-general Abibullah Samsudin by another month until July 12 to further investigations into alleged misuse of funds at the charity.

Chairman of the foundation’s board of trustees Mohd Daud Bakar said in the meantime, director of the Strategic Management Department Parihah Hasan would continue as interim director-general.

“Abibullah’s suspension is extended to allow Yapeim to conduct investigations transparently and fairly, while protecting the interests of both parties before a final conclusion is reached,” Mohd Daud said in a statement today.

Abibullah was suspended for a month on May 21 after the alleged abuse of funds came to light in the media.

A leaked report of an audit into the foundation revealed that the federal Islamic charity had paid unreasonably high salaries and bonuses to its top management, made a RM12 million loss in a gold pawn scheme and invested in other dubious business deals.

Some RM1 million of the charity’s funds had also been spent on legal fees for an aide of former prime minister Najib Razak.

Abibullah also courted controversy with a speech to Yapeim staff recorded in a video clip showing him threaten employees not to vote for Pakatan Harapan in the 14th general election last year.

However, the ongoing inquiry is not looking into his speech in the video and is only focused on financial allegations. – June 14, 2019.