National Oversight and Whistleblowers Centre (NOW) director Akmal Nasir refuses to apologise to Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Jamil Khir Baharom over claims that Jamil Khir abused funds meant for orphans.

NOW exposed invoices showing Jamil Khir and his wife shopped and golfed during a US trip sponsored by the government-linked charitable foundation Yayasan Pembangunan Ekonomi Islam Malaysia (Yapeim).

“Based on the evidence that I showed yesterday, and his reply that he had indeed used the funds, I don’t see a reason for me to apologise.

“I will not apologise. Why should I?” he asked at a press conference at NOW’s office in Kuala Lumpur.

Jamil Khir, who is minister in charge of Islamic affairs, demanded Akmal apologise within 24 hours or face legal action.

The minister admitted he went on the trip to the US in May last year, but said it was an official trip organised by Yapeim, other foundations under his purview and the Malaysian High Comission, to attend several programmes there.

He denies this is abuse of funds.

Yapeim is a trust foundation set up by the government in 1976 aimed at uplifting the economic status of Muslims.

NOW was founded by PKR secretary-general Rafizi Ramli.

Akmal said the Umno supreme council member has the right to take legal action but has thus far failed to debunk the claims.

“He (Jamil Khir) did not refute the validity of the documents I produced nor did he respond on whether funds from Yapeim, through Yayasan Pembangunan Anak Yatim/Misikin (Pemangkin), was used for his US trip,” Akmal said.

“I am exposing all this to protect Yapeim contributors, who are contributing each month albeit in small sums of RM5 or RM10.

“The minister needs to explain why these funds are used for overseas travel,” said Akmal, who is also Johor PKR information chief.

NOW earlier also exposed that a Kelantan Umno leader and her family members are making about RM2 million a year from various postings in Yapeim and its companies.

The Kelantan Umno leader has refused to respond to multiple requests for a comment.

Yapeim, which also runs the multi-million ringgit Islamic finance business Ar-Rahnu, said it is ready to be investigated.

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