Incident of returning cheque for not being halal inaccurate - Bank Muamalat

KUALA LUMPUR: Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd today refuted a report of a cheque returned by Seremban Bank Muamalat for being not halal.

The bank stressed that cheques are not categorised as halal or not.

"As a banking institution, the bank accepts all valid cheques which have been completely and correctly filled," it said in a statement.

It said the bank had contacted the customer in the case as there was a technical error in which the name of the association written in the cheque was different from the name registered.

"Following that, the customer was told to make the correction," the statement read

According to the bank, any enquiry by the bank is aimed at complying with the existing banking procedures as well as for the purpose of safeguarding the interest of bank customers.

It said all parties in the case had reached an understanding that there was no element of halal or otherwise on the depositing of the cheque except the technical issue and isolated misunderstanding in a media conference today with Bank Muamalat, Lobak assemblyman, Chew Seh Yong as well as the customer concerned.

"The parties involved agreed it was a misunderstanding which was not related to the issue of being halal or not and they jointly agreed that the information disseminated in the case was inaccurate," it said.

Bank Muamalat president and chief executive officer, Khairul Kamarudin said the banking institution has always provided the best service to all parties regardless of religion and race.

"As an Islamic banking institution, the operation of Bank Muamalat is subject to the adherence of Syariah principles, nonetheless we provide our banking services to all eligible parties regardless of religion and race," he said.

-- BERNAMA