NGO National Oversight and Whistleblowers (NOW) today claimed in its latest expose that RM290,000 taken from Yayasan Pembangunan Ekonomi Islam Malaysia (Yapeim) was used to fund a marriage course in Paris, France.

In making the allegation, its director, Akmal Nasir, cited working papers which were allegedly approved by Yapeim.

Akmal also questioned whether de facto Islamic affairs minister Jamil Khir Baharom had officiated at the programme course named ‘Simposium Perdana Paris: Isu Perkahwinan, Kekeluargaan, Keusahwanan dan Pengurusan’ which was held in December last year and early this year.

Based on the working papers, Akmal said that payment was made for two courses, namely the ‘Kursus dan Kembara Santun 2014 Kelab Santun Eropah' and the 'Program Transformasi Warga Santun (Amrin) Kelab Santun Eropah'.

The payment shown to be approved by Yapeim in the documents are RM176,500 and RM113,500 respectively.

Akmal said Jamil Khir should answer the allegations as the latter’s name kept cropping up in the documents.

“What is the rationale of organising a wedding course for students?” he asked at a press conference today.

"Yapeim funds should be used to support those who need it the most."

Jamil Khir earlier denied abusing Yapeim funds and threatened to take legal action against Akmal and all the media which published Akmal's claim.

Malaysiakini has contacted Jamil Khir and Yapeim for a response to the latest expose.

'Answer to the rakyat'

Jamil Khir earlier denied abusing Yapeim funds and threatened to take legal action against Akmal and media outlets which published Akmal's claim.

Akmal also disclosed that 100 Malaysian students and Malaysians living in Paris had participated in the event.

He added that should Jamil Khir believe the funds were not used wrongfully, then it would only raise questions on his own integrity and morals.

“My advice to him as minister-in-charge of Islamic affairs is to answer to the rakyat and not to answer to me in court,” he said.

Jamil Khir had also said he would see NOW in court over allegations made by the latter.

He said this after lodging a police report against Akmal who yesterday had also lodged a report against Jamil Khir and Yapeim.

Citing invoices billed to a Yapeim subsidiary, Akmal last week claimed that Jamil Khir had abused Yapeim funds meant for orphans by going shopping and golfing in the US with his wife.

The total bill for the four-day trip amounted to RM410,978.56, according to Akmal, but he later revised the estimate to RM590,000 and included a delegation of 100 people.

Jamil Khir countered Akmal saying that the latter’s claims amounted to "malicious slander and was misleading" and threatened NOW with a lawsuit.