Contributing PTPTN money to Lembaga Zakat Kedah raises serious suspicion due to conflict of interest

C4 Center is surprised over National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) chairman Wan Saiful Wan Jan contributing PTPTN money to Lembaga Zakat Negeri Kedah yesterday.

Just not long ago, PTPTN policy and operations deputy chief executive Mastura Mohd Khalid told the media that PTPTN had borrowed money from the bank to fund 2.9 million students and the total bank loan amounted to RM51.2bn, with a very long repayment period. This is the amount that PTPTN used as capital to continuously provide loans to students. And it was also reported that the funds are currently short of RM39bn.

We are also concerned about the management of Lembaga Zakat: according to a study done by Norma Saad, professor, Department of Economics, Kulliyyah of Economics and Management Sciences, International Islamic University Malaysia, and Naziruddin Abdullah, professor, UniKL Business School, “Is Zakat Capable of Alleviating Poverty? An Analysis on the Distribution of Zakat Fund in Malaysia”, the biggest amount of expenditure goes to operations and management costs as opposed to the poor.

This move begs the questions: Why Kedah in particular? Is Lembaga Zakat Negeri Kedah running short of funds compared to other states? Is this related to the Bersatu annual general meeting that is happening tomorrow?

PTPTN funds are meant to help students pursue their higher education.

This is clearly a case of conflict of interest and abuse of power arising from political appointments tasked with dealing with government-linked funds.

In September this year, Wan Saiful made a RM100,000 contribution to Perlis flood victims under the PTPTN corporate social responsibility umbrella. Wan Saiful has also been recently appointed as Perlis Bersatu secretary. In light of the foregoing, what is the justification for this move, which clearly raises the issue of conflict of interest?

There has been a systematic conflict of interest perpetuated by the former BN government through political appointments in government agencies and government-linked companies. We note with concern the practice has continued to flourish under the current Pakatan Harapan government as seen in this PTPTN and other issues.

The PH government must address this issue immediately in moving towards a new Malaysia and in implementing its institutional reform agenda. It is important to note that the Pakatan Harapan election manifesto makes several references to appointments to key positions that should be based on merit instead of political links.

C4 Center demands that the Pakatan Harapan government:

• immediately stop political appointments which will cause conflict of interest and abuse of power
• put in place a clear policy or law to prevent conflict of interest and abuse of power

Cynthia Gabriel is executive director of C4 Center.

The views expressed in Aliran's media statements and the NGO statements we have endorsed reflect Aliran's official stand. Views and opinions expressed in other pieces published here do not necessarily reflect Aliran's official position.

AGENDA RAKYAT - Lima perkara utama

1. Tegakkan maruah serta kualiti kehidupan rakyat
2. Galakkan pembangunan saksama, lestari serta tangani krisis alam sekitar
3. Raikan kerencaman dan keterangkuman
4. Selamatkan demokrasi dan angkatkan keluhuran undang-undang
5. Lawan rasuah dan kronisme

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