West Java Baznas Denies Allegations Of Ex-Employee: Excess Use Of Zakat Free From Corruption Indications

BANDUNG - The West Java National Amil Zakat Agency (Baznas) revealed that the excess use of zakat funds from what should have been 12.5 percent to 20 percent in 2021-2023 for the needs of the zakat amil there, is free from indications of corruption, unlike allegations by former employee Tri Yanto.

Deputy Chairperson IV of West Java Baznas, Achmad Faisal, said that there is indeed a Minister of Religion 606 of 2023 which mandates an amil right of 12.5 percent or 1/8 of the total collection of zakat in a year, but there are further provisions, which allow an increase.

"This fund is for operations, including paying employees. Actually, Syar'i does not have a provision of 12.5 percent. But there are eight groups of asnaf, so the network is divided into eight groups, so 12.5 percent appears, but there are other rules that allow it," said Achmad as quoted by ANTARA, Monday, June 2.

He claimed that the excess operational use of zakat funds had also been consulted at the West Java Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), the Indonesian Baznas, and the Ministry of Religion (Kemenag).

The three institutions allow the excess use of funds, as long as the amount used for the operational needs of the West Java Baznas is still at a reasonable level. So he said this according to the procedure.

"So it is in accordance with the procedure. And when it is not enough, you can use asnaf funds if the operations are for da'wah and Islamic symbols, but the permission of the authorities includes the Indonesian Baznas and is not excessive," said Achmad.

This, said Achmad, also clarified the allegations regarding the overuse of zakat funds alleged by his former employee, Tri Yanto as an indication of corruption.

Where the former Head of Compliance and Internal Audit Unit of the West Java Baznas, accused the former agency where he worked of misappropriating operational funds from a maximum provision of 12.5 percent to 20 percent in 2021-2023 with total funds transferred around Rp9.8 billion.

Achmad also clarified the increase in salaries from the West Java Baznas leadership, which was also highlighted by Tri Yanto, which reached 121 percent. He said the budget did not come from zakat funds, but from the West Java Regional Revenue and Expenditure Budget (APBD) through grants.

However, Achmad stated that if the excess funds were used not in accordance with their designation, West Java Baznas would not pass an investigative audit by the Indonesian National Agency and the West Java Inspectorate.

"The financial report has gone through an audit process by an independent public accountant and also an Audit Sharia by the Inspector General of the Ministry of Religion of the Republic of Indonesia on 10-15 June 2024. On October 8, 2024, the audit report by the Sharia auditor Inspector General of THE MINISTRY of Religion of the Republic of Indonesia has been released with letter number: B-293/Dt.III.IV/BA.03.2/07/2024 results are the Sharia compliance index 86.73 (effective) and the 87.50 (transparent) transparency index were not found. fraud or corruption," he said.

Then the audit results of allegations of misappropriation of COVID-19 relief grants amounting to Rp11.7 billion in 2020 were submitted to the Indonesian Baznas which was followed up with a special audit of 3-9 October 2023.

"On July 15, 2024, a letter was issued from the Indonesian Baznas number B/2881//DKMR-DAKM/KETUA/KD.02.05/VII/2024 regarding the report on the results of the Indonesian BAZNAS DAKM audit which stated that all allegations were not proven," said Achmad.