Donating to authorities same as graft, hardline Islamist group says

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 14 — Pro-caliphate movement Hizbut Tahrir Malaysia (HTM) claimed today that donating to civil servants and the authorities is unacceptable in Islam as it is considered corruption.

The local chapter of the hardline Islamist group pointed out that donors may expect something in return in the future after they donate to government workers.

“This act is the same as a bribe, which is 'haram' to be accepted by enforcers, judges and also civil servants,” HTM said in its weekly newsletter Sautun Nahdah.

“Donations, rewards and gifts given to enforcers, judges and civil servants is an act of underhandedness (Ghulul) and the place for those who act underhandedly is hell,” the group added.

HTM said donating to the authorities deviates from the actual purpose of donations, which they stressed should be channeled to the needy and to be closer to God.

The group added that it wanted to clarify when a donation was “halal” (permissible) or “haram” (forbidden), after it was revealed that RM2.6 billion was transferred into Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s personal accounts, which the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) described as a donation given by unidentified donors from the Middle East.

HTM said the RM2.6 billion donation was proof of the costliness of democracy and claimed it was designed to benefit capitalists.

“Election campaigns and elections costs are no longer a million or two but in the billions of ringgit. This is the cost to compete in a democracy,” it said.

“The RM2.6 billion donation that was transferred into a leader’s private accounts becomes another piece of evidence that democracy is a system that not only goes against Islam, but is also very expensive,” it added.

PKR filed a civil suit on Wednesday against Najib, Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Mansor, state investment arm 1 Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), and the Election Commission (EC) for allegedly committing an electoral offence.

Section 19 of the Election Offences Act 1954 limits the amount candidates can spend during elections: RM100,000 and RM200,000 for state and federal seats respectively.