Kuala lumpur: The government is set to enhance and broaden governance guidance and training programs for Muslim non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to ensure more professional and transparent financial management. Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs), Dr. Zulkifli Hasan, emphasized the increased efforts under an initiative launched last year aimed at ensuring NGOs have a comprehensive understanding of proper financial management and governance.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Dr. Zulkifli acknowledged that although the matter falls outside the ministry's jurisdiction, it remains committed to empowering the involved organizations. Since the previous year, guidance, training, and courses have been provided to Muslim NGOs to bolster their governance, management, and financial procedures. The initiative will be expanded to ensure NGOs are proficient in good governance and best practices.

The announcement follows recent reports of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) arresting three individuals, including a deputy chairman of an NGO, in connection with the alleged misappropriation of RM230 million in public donation funds. In response, on April 24, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim called for stricter regulations to monitor the spending of charitable bodies and NGOs to prevent misconduct.

Addressing a separate issue of fraudulent haj permit offers and hotel business arrangements in Makkah, resulting in losses of RM415,000, Zulkifli stated that the government has launched a special campaign to tackle such problems. The 'No Visa, No Haj' campaign by Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH) aims to protect Malaysian pilgrims' interests, safety, and welfare while combating fraud and ensuring compliance with Saudi Arabian regulations.

Regarding the Malaysia MADANI Understanding Seminar held at the National Institute of Public Administration (INTAN) Southern Regional Campus, Zulkifli explained that the program aims to enhance civil servants' understanding of the Malaysia MADANI concept. The program, a collaborative effort by INTAN, Akademi Kenegaraan Malaysia, Yayasan Dakwah Islamiah Malaysia, and Wadah Pencerdasan Umat Malaysia, successfully gathered 700 civil servants from Johor, Melaka, and Negeri Sembilan.