THE Penang government today assured Muslims that zakat funds in Zakat Pulau Pinang (ZPP) are safe.

State religious affairs exco Abdul Malik Abul Kassim gave the assurance that no zakat funds had been misappropriated, following the arrest of four high-ranking ZPP officials, including its chief executive officer yesterday, by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

The four were remanded for a week for investigations, along with seven contractors.

“From what we understand, the probe is not on ZPP, but the individuals and the allegations of corruption against them.

“So far, we have never encountered issues of misappropriation at ZPP,” Malik told reporters at his Komtar office.

He said ZPP subjected itself to independent auditing annually since 2008, and the only time a second independent audit was required was in 2015 after there were complaints about a tender process.

“There were complaints over a procurement matter but no issues turned up and there was no recommendation to proceed with a forensic audit,” he said.

Malik said ZPP had various mechanisms to ensure transparency and competency in its administration.

“We do surprise auditing, second auditing and even forensic auditing when the need arises.

“The state government regards ZPP’s management very seriously and we stress on transparency and accountability,” he said.

Malik added that if the four officials were charged, they would be suspended from duty.

In the meantime, he said the ZPP’s board of directors would call a meeting tomorrow to discuss improvements and on how to run business as usual without disruption following the arrests.

“We cannot take any action until we know the outcome of the probe,” he said while also declining to comment on allegations that the CEO had approved a scholarship for his child without the State Islamic Affairs Council’s (MAIPP) approval.

ZPP is a state agency under MAIPP that manages Muslim alms.

ZPP board chairman Mohd Salleh Man, who also heads MAIPP, said the agency would extend its full cooperation to MACC.

“Stern action will be taken if the officers are in the wrong. We urge Muslims not to worry,” he said.

Yesterday, Penang MACC chief Abdul Aziz Aban said preliminary investigation had shown that the 11 had misused funds by organising programmes with the money before splitting the profits.

He also said MACC believed the CEO had allegedly received valuables and money from contractors and suppliers in return for awarding certain projects to them.

The case is being probed under Section 17 (a) and Section 17 (b) along with Section 23 of the MACC Act for accepting and giving gratification and using position for gratification. – May 10, 2017.