GEORGE TOWN, May 12 — Independent auditors will be called in to conduct an audit of the Zakat Pulau Pinang (ZPP) after the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) completes its investigations into alleged corruption and abuse of power involving the body’s senior official.

State religious affairs, domestic trade and consumer affairs committee chairman Datuk Abdul Malik Kasim said the independent audit would determine if there was embezzlement of the state’s zakat (tithe) funds.

He said in 2015, the ZPP had used the services of independent auditors and at that time, no embezzlement or corruption was detected.

"We can call in the independent auditors to conduct an audit on ZPP after the MACC completes its investigations into the case. It is now too early to make a decision on this matter,” he told a press conference here today.

He added that he would also propose the ZPP be revamped if it was proven there was embezzlement and corruption involving its funds.

Last Tuesday, the Penang MACC detained a senior ZPP official, aged 50, and three of its officers as well as seven contractors to help in investigations into alleged embezzlement of tithe funds which had been allocated for community development projects since three years ago.

The contractors were remanded for a week until May 15. On Wednesday, the MACC detained a female contractor to help in the investigations. — Bernama