An official from Penang Zakat said Mohd Irwan Omar, 38, who fell to his death on Saturday, was not a zakat aid recipient, but his 37-year-old wife was.
The official had related this to state Islamic Affairs committee chair Abdul Malik Abul Kassim, who said Irwan’s wife was a recipient of monthly food aid from Penang Zakat.
“Our Zakat officers visited her yesterday and confirmed that the family received monthly food aid.
“Their funding from the welfare department was cut as they had moved from Jawi to Bukit Mertajam,” Malik told FMT.
Checks by FMT showed Irwan was a registered voter of the Kluang parliamentary constituency and the Mahkota state seat, in Johor.
Johor executive councillor in charge of Islamic affairs Abd Mutalip Abd Rahim said Irwan and his wife were not recipients of zakat from Johor, either.
Yesterday, police revealed that Irwan fell to his death from the fourth floor of his apartment in Bukit Mertajam late Saturday night, following apparent financial difficulties.
Irwan’s family told police that ever since the monthly zakat payment of RM300 was stopped, he had grown stressed.
The family said most of the money went to the rent of their 660 sq ft home, which costs RM250 monthly.
Irwan leaves behind a wife, seven children aged 2 to 17 and his wife also expecting another baby soon.