The Johor government has clarified the state's wakaf fund collection every month from state's civil servants, including non-Muslims, will be on a voluntary basis.

There is no obligation for Muslim and non-Muslim civil servant to contribute, said Ahmad Asri Khalbi, press secretary to Johor Menteri Besar Mohamed Khaled Nordin.

"On the circular (it is stated) no obligation. It is on a voluntary basis," Asri said in a text message.

On Jan 18, state secretary Azmi Rohani issued a circular informing civil servants of the monthly deduction facility applying to all state, federal, statutory bodies and local government staff serving in Johor to contribute to the Tabung Wakaf Rakyat Johor.

The directive includes both non-Muslim and Muslim staff.

However, while the circular states that government servants are being asked to contribute, there is no mention that it is compulsory.

The deductions also require the government servants in question to give their consent via a form that would be supplied.

Civil servants who want to can also contribute more than the specified RM10.

The circular was followed with a letter dated Jan 19, informing the affected government bodies to implement the decision. The instruction is to take effect from the date of the circular.

"With regard to the matter, you are hereby ordered to take appropriate actions to ensure that item 5 of the circular (on deductions) is adhered to," reads the letter.

According to the letter, the matter was mooted by the state executive council on June 27 last year.