Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's younger brother Nazim’s architecture firm has denied that there is a conflict of interest in their involvement in the redevelopment of Kampung Baru mosque, as their architectural services are being provided for free.

Muhd Syafeeq Subhi, the architect for the firm NRY Architects, told Malaysiakini by email today that the mosque management committee had appointed them to provide voluntary architectural services for the project.

"There is no conflict as we are providing voluntary services as announced by the prime minister and by the mosque management committee chairperson during the cheque handing over ceremony," he said.

Muhd Syafeeq was responding to the question by Malaysian Youth Solidarity’s (SAMM) chief Badrul Hisham Shaharin on whether there was conflict of interest for Najib to grant the redevelopment project to a company owned by his brother, who is also the deputy chairperson of the mosque management committee.

RM20 mil contribution

On Feb 5, Najib announced that the government-owned 1Malaysia Development Berhad would contribute RM20 million to redevelop the mosque within next six months.

NONE Muhd Syafeeq pointed out that the company has provided numerous such services over the last eight years for the mosque, including the development of the arch and pavilion at the front entrance.

"Recently we provided services for the minaret. All the services were voluntary and done on amal jariah (charity); we did not charge for our services.

“As such because of our experience, the committee engaged us again and we continue to provide the voluntary services for the mosque," said Muhd Syafeeq in the email.

It is unclear which company has received the RM20 million allocation to undertake the redevelopment project.