(Nov 17): PKR Youth has reminded the minister in charge of Islamic affairs accused of using funds meant for orphans for an overseas trip to not use tithes to sue the head of a whistle-blower group.

Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom should use his own money to sue Akmal Nasir, director of the National Oversight and Whistleblowers (NOW), said PKR Youth chief Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad.

He cited an incident in 2011 when Jamil Khir and two officers from the Federal Territories Islamic Religious Council used tithes to fund legal costs in their "qazaf" (false accusation of adultery) application against former opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

He said Jamil Khir still had not directly denied the allegations raised by Akmal but had twice demanded an apology to avoid a suit.

Akmal last week showed the media documents that he said was evidence Jamil Khir used funds meant for orphans under a Putrajaya-linked charity foundation, Yayasan Pembangunan Ekonomi Islam Malaysia (Yapeim), for a trip to the United States last year with an entourage. The trip included shopping and golfing sessions.

Akmal has refused to apologise, saying he had proof of the misuse of funds.

“Even the minister has not personally denied this, but continues to give lame excuses to justify the use.

“So we would like to remind Jamil Khir that any legal action he wants to take must be in his personal capacity and using his own funds, and not like what he and two other religious council officers did in 2011, where they used RM63,650 to fund legal costs,” Nik Nazmi said.

He added that tithes were for welfare purposes which were entrusted for certain groups, and not for the use of ministers.

He also urged Jamil's "supporters", including  pro-Umno blog MyKMU, to stop fanning  racial and religious sentiments in this case.

"If Akmal is wrong, prove it. Don't fuel racial discord," Nik Nazmi said.

Akmal lodged a police report on Sunday over the alleged misuse of funds under Yapeim and urged that the minister in charge and the foundation be investigated.

Jamil Khir also lodged a police report and said Akmal was trying to destroy his credibility with false allegations. The minister threatened to sue Akmal over the allegations. – The Malaysian Insider