KUALA LUMPUR: A total of RM7.43 million out of RM7.6 million expenses and payments made by the Institute of Islamic Strategic Research Malaysia (IKSIM) cannot be accounted for, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Dr Mujahid Yusof Rawa.
He said following an internal audit on the institute, it was found that the financial procedures were unclear and purchases were made not in accordance with the purpose of request.
“Only RM0.17 million or 2.2 per cent were confirmed to be expenses while the remaining amount cannot be accounted for,” he said when winding up the debate on the motion of thanks for the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s speech for his ministry in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday.
Later in a press conference, Mujahid said all IKSIM’s activities and accounts would immediately be frozen.
He said the ministry would also look into efforts to revive the institute and safeguard the welfare of all its staff.
“We have made a decision that the employees’ outstanding salaries will be settled as soon as possible so that there will be no question of us neglecting the staff.
“I hope with this explanation it will appease those who had been saying that JPM had been mistreating IKSIM staff,” he said.
Meanwhile in the winding-up session Mujahid said the ministry was finalising on a dress code guideline for staff in the private sector.
“The Department of Labour Peninsular Malaysia, the Human Resources Ministry and the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) will cooperate in this matter and finally JPM will decide on the dress code for Muslim women in the private sector,” he said.
With that Mujahid hoped that there would be no more discrimination against Muslim women, especially those wearing clothing in accordance with their religious belief, at the workplace.
Replying to an interjection by Datuk Seri Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim (BN-Baling) who asked on the status of 1,200 1MDB Foundation sponsored Haj pilgrims, Mujahid said those whose application met the criteria set by Tabung Haji would likely be allowed to perform the pilgrimage.—Bernama