Malaysia

How Jakim spent nearly RM1 billion this year

Management activities and staff salaries cost taxpayers RM125 million, out of the overall RM819 million spent by Jakim this year, according to the Treasury. – The Malaysian Insider file pic, November 22, 2015.Management activities and staff salaries cost taxpayers RM125 million, out of the overall RM819 million spent by Jakim this year, according to the Treasury. – The Malaysian Insider file pic, November 22, 2015.In recent weeks, questions have been raised over the Islamic Development Department of Malaysia's (Jakim) relevance, and how it actually spends the nearly RM1 billion of taxpayer's money it receives each year.

The federal Islamic agency under the Prime Minister's Department has become the subject of debate since the son for former deputy prime minister, Tawfik Ismail, said it should be abolished for serving little purpose other than to regulate the personal lives of Muslims.

Tawfik has drawn flak for that, and has opened up debate on the role and relevance of the agency in regulating Islam.

In response, Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said Jakim had become even more relevant today as it was involved in dealing with Shia and "liberal Islam" as well as threats from militant group Isis.

Director-general of Jakim, Datuk Othman Mustapha refused The Malaysian Insider’s request for an interview on how the department's budget has and will be spent.

Meanwhile, the department's public relations officer told The Malaysian Insider that neither Jakim's financial history nor audited accounts were available for the public.

According to the Treasury, however, Jakim's objectives can be boiled down to three main points: a) spreading Islam; b) producing "credible" leaders; and c) creating a management system based on Islamic values and ethics.

To achieve these objectives this year, Jakim received an allocation of RM819,074,900 from Budget 2015. For next year, that figure has been reduced slightly to RM724,594,600.

The Treasury's website provides an estimated breakdown of how the funds were used this year as well as the department's "output", and it appears that "Policy" activities ate up most of Jakim's budget.


RM531,392,000 on Policy

An estimated RM531,392,000 was spent this year to, among others, thwart attempts to “deviate” Muslims by groups Putrajaya deems “deviant" and "threatening national security”.

Other objectives under this category include: coordinating and standardising Islamic laws throughout Malaysia; enforcing state Shariah laws; pioneering research in the fields of Islamic study; and developing and coordinating Islamic education in religious schools.

According to the Treasury's estimates, Jakim managed to carry out the following policy activities:

- Six programmes held at the state, regional and international levels;

- 10,000 halal certificates;

- 2,243 research and monitoring efforts;

- 35 programmes to coordinate the management and development of fatwas; and

- 10 programmes to coordinate improvement in quality of education.

Next year, RM486,772,000 has been allocated for policy activities, while the estimated output remains the same.


RM125,223,600 on Management

The management of Jakim and its staff cost taxpayers approximately RM125,223,600 this year, and the output was:

- 13,300 processed cash vouchers;

- 97% officer positions filled;

- 12 Jakim management meetings; and

- 9,000 applications for the Halal certificate.

Next year it will receive an estimated RM94,590,900 allocation, and the public can expect the same results.

 

RM97,374,000 for the Federal Territory Islamic Religious Department (Jawi)

Jawi's objectives is to prevent Muslims in the Federal Territories from flouting Islamic laws, and to take charge of Islamic affairs in the area.

The Treasury estimates that with approximately RM97,374,000 this year, Jawi managed to:

- Carry out 60 operations;

- Take action against 500 cases;

- Manage 88 Sekolah Rendah Agama, Sekolah Rendah Agama Integrasi, and Sekolah Menengah Agama; and

- Administer 114 Quran and Fardu Ain classes.

Next year, Jawi will receive RM94,590,900 to carry out the same number of tasks. 


RM24,259,700 on Human Development

Human development, which covers training preachers and scholars; monitoring and coordinating Islamic policies; and dakwah (preaching) efforts, ate up an estimated RM24,259,700 of this year’s budget.

The output of that money? According to the Treasury's estimates, Jakim this year:

- Published 130 magazines, publications and flyers on dakwah; and

- Organised 125 programmes on social and Islamic family development.

Jakim hopes to slash the money for human development activities to RM15,659,700 next year, but its ambitions remain the same.


RM14,934,700 for Sabah Jakim

Sabah Jakim's objectives are to provide efficient service and administration; and to boost the quality of human capital, management and administration for society based on Islam's teachings.

With a nearly RM15 million budget allocation, the Treasury estimates that Sabah Jakim this year organised:

- 135 dakwah programmes;

- 80 KAFA (Quran and Fardu Ain classes) programmes;

- 55 programmes at its Islamic Training Centre; and

- 65 publication and public relations programmes

It also carried out 50 research on strengthening the faith, according to the Treasury's estimates.

Next year, the allocation will be reduced to RM11,560,000, although the output is expected to remain the same.

 

RM10,593,800 for Sarawak Jakim

Like its Sabah counterpart, Sarawak Jakim aims to provide efficient, effective and quality service and management; spread dakwah, and strengthen Islam.

With the money it received, Sarawak Jakim carried out an estimated:

- 270 dakwah programmes;

- 50 secretariat and management programmes;

- 60 research programmes;

- 86 Sarawak Training Centre programmes; and

- 44  Malaysia Islamic Skills Institute Sarawak (Ikmas) programmes

Its allocation next year will be reduced to RM10,593,800, although the output is expected to be the same.


RM8,103,100 for Darul Quran

The Darul Quran institution focuses on training SPM graduates to understand and memorise the Quran, as well as produce preachers and scholars.

According to the Treasury, the estimated output for this year was:

- 559 huffaz (memorisers of the Quran) underwent training;

- 38 huffaz trained in reciting Quran at the undergraduate studies level;

- 30 individuals joined a short-term public training programme for a Tarannum Al-Quran higher certificate; and

- 30 individuals joined a short-term Basics of Qiraat programme open to SPM leavers.

Darul Quran received the same allocation for next year, and its output is expected to remain the same.


RM7,194,000 for Malaysian Islamic Training Institute (Ilim)

This institute's objective is to train civil servants tasked with Islamic affairs to be "religious, competent and courageous in facing challenges".

With the money, it selected 8,000 participants for its course; carried out 160 courses; and one study on the outcome of the course.

Next year, the institute will receive slightly less funds, at RM7,617,600. – November 22, 2015.

Comments

Please refrain from nicknames or comments of a racist, sexist, personal, vulgar or derogatory nature, or you may risk being blocked from commenting in our website. We encourage commenters to use their real names as their username. As comments are moderated, they may not appear immediately or even on the same day you posted them. We also reserve the right to delete off-topic comments