KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 20 ― Yayasan Pembangunan Ekonomi Islam Malaysia’s (Yapeim) spent RM218,505 for a religious programme in Australia meant for Malaysian students in April last year, National Oversight and Whistleblowers (NOW) claimed today.

The anti-graft group also furnished documents detailing that RM70,000 from the amount was spent on travel costs including an item for business-class flight tickets.

At a news conference, NOW director Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir said that the programme ― titled “Promoting Islamic values in Multi-Culture and Religion: Future and Challenges” was held in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne from April 16 to April 26, 2014 and that, based on the documents, only between 50 and 70 students took part.

“What is the rationale for Yapeim to be involved in a programme overseas with such expensive costs with only a small number benefitting from it?

“What is the need to travel with business class for the programme and who travelled business class?” Akmal asked.

The documents also showed that four Yapeim agencies were involved in financing the programme in Australia: Yapeim, Yayasan Pembangunan Anak Yatim/Miskin (Pemangkin), Institut Penyelidikan dan Perundingan Yapeim (Input) and the organisation’s research arm Ar-Rahnu.

This comes just days after NOW claimed that Yapeim paid RM290,000 to hold two marriage courses in Paris, France in December last year and early this year as well as alleging that Minister in Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom went “shopping” and “golfing” during another event in the US.

Yesterday, Jamil Khir filed a RM10 million defamation lawsuit against the NOW chief over the PKR-linked group’s claims that the Islamic affairs minister abused funds meant for Yapeim.

Jamil Khir had said Akmal’s statements accusing him of misusing Yapeim funds had depicted him as a dishonest and corrupt politician who cannot be trusted.

Akmal said today he has yet to receive an official summons notice on the matter.

“For me, the case is secondary. The priority is to get an explanation in the interest of Yapeim contributors,” he said.

NOW has been running a series of what it asserts are exposés on alleged power abuse by Yapeim. In its first few exposés, the group put the salaries and allowances paid to Yapeim’s chairman and deputy, a Wanita Umno leader, under the spotlight.

Yapeim was a charity set up by the federal government in 1976 and placed under the purview of the prime minister, with special attention from the minister in charge of Islamic affairs.