State Religious Affairs, Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Committee chairman Abdul Malik Kasim said the independent audit would determine if there was embezzlement of the state’s zakat (tithe) funds.

He said in 2015 however, independent auditors failed to detect any form of embezzlement or corruption at ZPP.

“We can call in the independent auditors to conduct an audit on ZPP after the MACC completes its investigations into the case. It is now too early to make a decision on this matter,” he told a press conference here today.

He added that he would also propose that the ZPP be revamped if it was proven there was embezzlement and corruption involving its funds.

Last Tuesday, the Penang MACC detained a senior ZPP official, aged 50, and three of the body’s officers as well as seven contractors to help in investigations into alleged embezzlement of tithe funds which had been allocated for community development projects three years ago.

The contractors have been remanded for a week until May 15. On Wednesday, the MACC detained a female contractor to help in the investigations.