KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Islamic Religious Council (Muis) has lodged a police report regarding alleged abuse of power in its administration.

       Its president Datuk Yahya Husin said the police report was made on March 28 for further investigations as the accusations levelled against Muis were “baseless and defamatory.”

       “Muis is always open to any investigation process by the authorities, whether from the police or the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

       “This is to ensure that the image and integrity of Muis in its administrative affairs remain clean, without any element of abuse of power as alleged,” he said in a statement yesterday.

       Yahya said on Tuesday, a letter of demand had been sent to the parties that purportedly made and spread the accusations, to issue a public apology to Muis within 24 hours.

       According to a Bernama report, he said if the parties fail to do so, legal action will be taken.

       Recently, social media was abuzz with chatter surrounding allegations that a senior Muis official had ordered the payment of staff bonuses by using the zakat fund without approval.

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       It was also alleged that the senior official ordered the transfer of the zakat money to the general fund (management) amounting to RM14mil, without approval.

       In the meantime, Yahya said the distribution of zakat money last year showed a total collection of RM141mil, which was disbursed to 91,060 recipients.