KUALA LUMPUR: Former Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs), Datuk Dr Zulkifli Mohamad Al-Bakri, has made a generous gesture by putting his gifted Rolex timepiece up for auction to support the Palestinian cause.
In an announcement posted on X, Dr Zulkifli declared that the luxurious timepiece, presented to him by King Salman Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia, is now available for bidding.
The entire proceeds from this auction will be directed towards the relief and assistance of Palestinians who are enduring the hardships resulting from the ongoing conflict.
"By upholding the order and celebrating the seriousness of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in donating a billion dollars to Palestine every year, I would like to open a bid for my beloved Rolex watch with a starting price of RM40,000.
"Increments will start at RM100 and above, with the auction's proceeds to be entirely donated to the welfare of the Palestinian people who are suffering there.
"I am open to those who are interested to bid in the comment section," he wrote.
The watch, a Rolex Datejust 41, is believed to have a retail value of RM 80,000, and the current bidding stood at RM47,000.
"Currently, the bids on IG (Instagram) stood at RM47,000. I will close the bidding at midnight on Oct 31," he added.
Dr Zulkifli also explained briefly about the watch that was gifted to him in 2017.
"The story began in February 2017 when I received a surprise call while attending a meeting as Bank Negara's Shariah Advisory Panel.
"I was asked by the Malaysian Government - as the Mufti of the Federal Territory - to represent all Malaysian muftis and scholars and deliver a speech before the King of Saudi Arabia, His Majesty King Salman bin Abdulaziz Hafizahullahu Ta'ala, during his courtesy visit to Malaysia.
"A few days after the ceremony in St. Regis Hotel, I was contacted by the Saudi Arabian Embassy in Malaysia as the Saudi King had a souvenir sent for me."