PARLIAMENT Negative perception and slander were among the reasons 32,934 donors cancelled their contributions to the controversial Malaysian Islamic Economic Foundation (Yapeim) from 2015 until February 2016.

As a result, Yapeim suffered a total loss of RM580,897, which was previously obtained through the monthly deduction scheme.

This was revealed by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Jamil Khir Baharom in a written reply to Parliament yesterday.

Yapeim came into the spotlight following series of allegations of misappropriation of funds exposed by National Oversight and Whistleblower (NOW) director Akmal Nasir.

Yapeim's deputy president Zaleha Hussin's husband and son are alleged to have been appointed to the foundation and collectively, the family earns RM81,700 in salary a month from the foundation.

Jamil, who is the minister in charge of Islamic affairs, allegedly went on a golfing and shopping trip in the US using funds from Yapeim's subsidiary Yayasan Pembangunan Anak Yatim/Miskin (Pemangkin), totalling more than RM400,000, which were meant for orphans.

He has denied any wrongdong

Besides negative perception and slander, Jamil gave other reasons for the decline in donations including donors who had retired, died, contributions to other institutions, and the rising cost of living.

Despite the reductions in donation, Jamil said the foundation still received RM106,870.80 in contributions.

Jamil is currently suing Akmal for defamation over the latter's allegations.

Akmal, however, said Jamil cannot sue him over matters of public interest because he is a minister.