Penang Delegation's Egypt Visit Not Funded By Zakat - Mohamad

GEORGE TOWN, Nov 5 (Bernama) -- The Penang government has denied allegations that a RM100,000 zakat cheque was misappropriated to fund its delegation’s visit to Egypt, clarifying that the expenses were instead charged to the Administrative Fund under the 2025 budget of the Penang Islamic Religious Council (MAINPP).

Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Dr Mohamad Abdul Hamid said no zakat funds allocated for asnaf (eligible zakat recipients), the poor or tawaquf funds were used to finance the delegation's visit, which was led by former Penang Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Ahmad Fuzi Abdul Razak last year.

“No application was submitted to MAINPP's Zakat Department for a zakat cheque as alleged, and MAINPP had never received such a cheque,” he said when winding up the debate on the Supply Bill and Development Estimates Motion 2027 (2027 State Budget) at the state assembly sitting today

He said the visit had resulted in several significant achievements, including a credit transfer cooperation arrangement (Mu'adalah) between Penang's International Islamic College of Technology (KITAB) and Al-Azhar University, the provision of a new hostel for Penang students in Egypt, and the official opening of the first Penang Islamic Digital Library (PIDL) at the Faculty of Shariah, Al-Azhar University.

Mohamad, who is also MAINPP president, said the delegation had also met Al-Azhar University president Prof Dr Salamah Jumaah Dawood and paid a visit to Egypt's Ministry of Awqaf.

Mohamad said the delegation's programme also included a visit to Saudi Arabia, where it held meetings with the top management of King Abdulaziz University and the Islamic University of Madinah to strengthen ties and cooperation in Islamic higher education.

In this regard, he said the visit should be assessed based on its objectives, achievements and long-term benefits to the development of Islamic education and the welfare of Penang students in Egypt.

Previously, allegations had surfaced over the use of RM100,000 in zakat funds to finance the visit to Egypt, with claims that the money had been deposited into the personal bank account of an officer while the delegation was in the country.

Meanwhile, in another development, Mohamad said the state government planned to table the Penang Wakaf Enactment at the state assembly sitting next year to provide comprehensive provisions governing the entire lifecycle of waqf.

He said Penang currently did not have a specific waqf enactment to comprehensively regulate the administration, management, development and advancement of waqf properties.

“The provisions relating to waqf, nazr and trusts are currently contained in Sections 89 to 95 of the Administration of the Religion of Islam (State of Penang) Enactment 2004.

“Although the existing provisions provide a legal basis for MAINPP to discharge its responsibilities relating to waqf, nazr and trusts, they are general in nature and do not elaborate in detail on the various aspects of waqf management, which have become increasingly diverse and complex,” he said.

-- BERNAMA