Overspending public funds is also treason, Isma tells PM

A Muslim association has reminded Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak that being a spendthrift with public money is also a form of treason.

Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia (Isma) president Abdullah Zaik Abd Rahman said those in power have been entrusted with managing public monies.

In view of this, he said it is incumbent for the government to be prudent in its management of revenue obtained from taxes and so forth.

Abdullah Zaik was responding to Najib’s statement yesterday that those who evade taxes could be considered as committing treason.

Instead, Najib had also equated the act of paying taxes, including the goods and services tax (GST), which is to be implements on April 1, 2015, to a form of patriotism.

The Isma president, in a statement today, stressed that government leaders should fear Allah with regard to exercising their duties in this aspect.

“Do not betray the trust of the people who have voted for BN and Umno. Use your wisdom to manage the funds properly.

"Remember that wisdom does not merely involve the technicalities of management, but also ethics and compassion,” he said.