Jamil Khir lodges police report over claims of misusing public funds

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom today lodged a report at the Putrajaya district police headquarters (IPD), over the allegation that he had misused public funds to pay for his overseas travel.

Jamil Khir arrived at the Putrajaya IPD at 2.30pm with his lawyer, Adnan Seman@Abdullah and several of his officers.

Last Friday, The Malaysian Insider reported on National Oversight and Whistleblowers (NOW) director Akmal Nasir's claim on Jamil Khir's visit and revealed some documents referring to expenses incurred by the minister for his overseas travel to attend a programme funded by the Malaysian Islamic Economic Development Foundation (YaPEIM).

On the same day, Jamil Khir explained that his visit to the United States from May 21 to 29, 2014 was upon an invitation to programmes organised by various agencies under his purview, especially YaPEIM, in collaboration with the Malaysian embassy in the US and the Education Malaysia (EM) Chicago programme held in conjunction with the Midwest Games which gathered over 1,000 students from the US and Canada.

Speaking to reporters after lodging the police report, Jamil Khir said Akmal's allegation that his visit to the US was a leisure trip using funds for orphans was a big slander and an attempt to undermine his credibility and integrity as a Minister in the Prime Minister's Department.

"I have instructed my lawyer to take legal action against the NOW director (Akmal) for the evil slander and malicious accusation against me.

"I'm ever ready and willing to assist with the investigation if there was indeed a misconduct," he said.

When asked what if Akmal refused to apologise, Jamil Khir said, "see you in court."

In the police report, Jamil Khir said Akmal had deliberately slandered him with malicious intent, suggesting publicly that he was a corrupt, untrustworthy minister, who stole and misused funds meant for orphans.

"This is an attack against me in fulfilling my responsibilities as a minister," he said.

Meanwhile, Adnan said his firm (Adnan Sharida & Associates) would issue another writ tomorrow (Monday) to instruct Akmal to retract the statement and apologise verbally and in writing.

"We will give Akmal two days (to retract and apologise). If he fails to do so, we will file a lawsuit by Friday latest," he added.