SHAH ALAM, Mar 17 Mac – Selangor Islamic Religion Council (Mais) has asked Hulu Klang State Assemblyman (Adun) to apologise and withdraw his statement alleging millions of ringgit collected by the Selangor Zakat Board kept in fixed deposits, had been transferred to a Takaful Structured Invest account under MAA Takaful on 11 December 2008.

Mais Chairman, Dato’ Setia Mohamad Adzib Mohd Isa said the statement by Shaari Sungib as quoted by Sinar Harian today was an irresponsible accusation against Mais.

“Mais and LZS had never transferred or planned to do such things to tithes that have not been distributed,” he said, denying the claims.

Mohamad Adzib added, what had actually happened was that the undistributed tithes had been kept in fixed deposit accounts either in Bank Islam or Bank Rakyat was guaranteed to be safe and syariah compliant.

It must be kept in a bank using the Mudharabah system before being channeled and distributed to those who are entitled to receive it through certain programmes and activities.

He said, any transfer of tithes or Baitulmal needs the approval of the relevant committees whether in Mais or LZS.

“The statement is defamatory and is a smear on the image and integrity of Mais of which the DYMM Sultan Selangor is patron,” he said.

Therefore, he hoped Shaari will  apologise and withdraw his statement or face legal action. – NOOR ALLIA KASSIM