Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Jamil Khir Baharom only attended a closing ceremony of a symposium during his US trip, using funds meant for the needy, National Oversight and Whistleblowers Centre (NOW) director Akmal Nasir claims.
Yet, Akmal said, Yayasan Pembangunan Ekonomi Islam Malaysia (Yapeim) paid for Jamil Khir and his wife to spend four days in the US in May last year.
“According to this approved itinerary, Jamil Khir was only scheduled to attend the closing ceremony of 'Simposium Perdana: Perkahwinan, Kekeluargaan, Pergurusan dan Isu-Isu Semasa Negara',” he said.
He said based on the programme, the four-day trip included a round of golf and a visit to a high-end shopping outlet.
The PKR Johor information chief also claimed that the original estimated cost for the programme was RM410,978.56, but it ballooned to RM590,000.This is for a delegation of 100 people.
Not just one programme
Jamil Khir in a statement yesterday denied claims that he abused the funds meant for the needy.
He said he travelled to the US on official duty on May 21-29, 2014 for programmes organised by foundations under his purview, in co-operation with the Malaysian High Commission and Education Malaysia (EM) Chicago.
He said it was in conjunction with the Mid West Games, attended by 1,000 students from the US and Canada.
Other programmes include the seminar on marriage to help students understand the Islamic requirements of marriage, and meeting students, business community and other "target groups" in Indianapolis and Washington DC.
Participants include Yapeim’s Skim Anugerah Kecemerlangan Pelajar Nasional (Santun) aid recipients, he said.
He added that the round of golf was organised by EM for the minister, ambassador and embassy staff.
“Therefore claims that I had gone to the US for leisure using orphans’ money is slander meant to undermine my credibility and dignity as minister in the prime minister’s department,” Jamil Khir said.
He gave Akmal 24 hours since yesterday to apologise or face legal action. Akmal refuses to say sorry.
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