A senior PKR leader has demanded an explanation from the government over the alleged use of zakat (alms) to pay the legal fees of government officials cited in a suit filed by opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim in the Syariah Court last year.

NONE Party secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution (left) pointed out that lawyers who defended the three defendants were paid RM32,150 for their services.

The defendants were Syariah Court chief prosecutor Shamsuddin Hussain, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Jamil Khir Baharom and Federal Territories Religious Department (Jawi) director Che Mat Che Al.

What is questionable is the source of the money, which Saifuddin claimed came straight from the zakat funds entrusted into the care of the Federal Territories Islamic Council (MAIWP).

Saifuddin stressed that the Quran specifies eight categories of people who qualify to recieve zakat funds, including the poor and the collectors of the alms.

“I would like to know: Does the minister fall under any of these categories? Does the Jawi director fall under any of these categories?” he said at a press conference in the Parliament lobby today.

NONE Saifuddin also questioned the way in which approval was given for the use of the funds, holding up a memo that purports to show that Che Mat - who is also MAIWP secretary - had approved disbursement of the funds.

“The funds were to pay the legal fees for Che Mat Che Ali. The approval was given by the council secretary, who is Che Mat Che Ali (right) .

"So Che Mat Che Ali approved the use of zakat funds to pay the legal fees for Che Mat Che Ali,” he said.

Call for multi-agency probe

Saifuddin said this situation is highly suspect, and urged the auditor-general’s office and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission to investigate the matter.

“I will also write to the PAC (Public Accounts Committee) to ask that they probe the matter,” he added.

Last year, Anwar had filed a suit in the Syariah Court in a bid to compel the chief prosecutor to launch legal action against Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan for allegedly lying and not coming up with the four required witnesses to verify his sodomy allegation.

Anwar, however, failed in his application after the Kuala Lumpur Syariah High Court allowed an early objection filed by Jamil.