Purchase of golf simulator from business income, not public contributions: YaPIEM

The Malaysia Islamic Economic Development Foundation (YaPEIM) today refuted the claim by certain quarters that it had bought a golf simulator using charitable contributions from the public.

Its director-general/CEO, Datuk Abibullah Samsudin said the simulator was actually bought with income derived from the foundation's business.

"We did not use the charitable contributions (to purchase the golf simulator) as we carry out business and we have our own financial resources which we use to expand our business."

He said this when met by reporters after handing out educational aid to the sole survivor of a drowning incident at the Belukar Bukit waterfall in Hulu Terengganu last Saturday, in which five family members perished.

Abibullah said the golf simulator was now placed at YaPEIM's nine-storey building in Petaing Jaya for its in-house recreational centre, as the building would be upgraded into a four-star hotel.

He said YaPEIM was taking the approach of encouraging sporting activities including golf within the community through the simulator purchase as it could be used at any time, irrespective of the weather condition.

On Dec 17, the National Oversight and Whistleblowers Centre (NOW) reportedly questioned the purchase of the golf simulator and asked YaPEIM to explain the need for it as it was deemed a luxury equipment.