Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki today hit out at the claim by Zaid Ibrahim that the RM1 billion allocation for the Malaysia Islamic Development Department (Jakim) was a waste.

The allocation, he said, was instead relevant to pay, for instance, the allowances for almost 15,000 imam, about 34,000 Quran and Fardhu Ain (Kafa) teachers, and 4,000 takmir teachers nationwide.

"In fact, the amount allocated by Jakim to pay the allowances was insufficient as the role played by these religious leaders, especially the imam, has become increasingly challenging besides having to face the rising cost of living currently.

"Claims that Jakim is wasting funds or poorly managing the allocation of nearly RM1 billion are baseless," he told reporters after the opening of the state-level 'Religious Teachers, Mosque Officials and Mosque Committees Forum', in Malacca today.

Malacca Islamic Religious Council deputy chairperson Yaakub Md Amin launched the ceremony, with Jakim deputy director-general (policy) Mohamad Nordin Ibrahim also present.

On Monday, a news portal carried the claim posted by Zaid, a former minister in the Prime Minister's Department, on his Facebook page.

Asyraf Wajdi said the allocation covered Jakim's operational costs, and it was a commitment by the government in line with the provisions of the Federal Constitution in promoting Islam and protecting its sanctity.

He also noted that the federal government had allocated RM17.9 million to the Malacca government to pay for the allowances of 404 imam involving a sum of RM3.7 million, 157 takmir teachers (RM1.5 million), 1,300 Kafa teachers (RM12.9 million) and three district mosque coordinating officers (RM62,000).

Earlier, Asyraf Wajdi received a memorandum from a group representing 14 Islamic non-governmental organisations in the state, with a total membership of 12,280, stating their full support for and trust in Jakim as an organisation looking after Islamic affairs in the country.

The memorandum was handed to him by Malacca Syarak Officers Association chairperson Damanhuri Husin.

- Bernama