News:

The past few weeks have seen some issues concerning misuse of power and money by the government being raised in the Malaysian media. One of the issues concerned a ruckus in the Parliament last week about the wife of the Prime Minister of Malaysia, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, who attended the Qatar International Business Women's conference at the St. Regis Hotel in Doha using an executive jet. The Parliament was told earlier this month that the use of executive jets by the government cost RM15 million for fuel and RM160 million for maintenance, with a single flight costing around RM 470,000. Answering the questions in the Parliament, the Minister in the Prime Minister's office, Datuk Shahidan Kassim explained that the departure of Rosmah to Qatar with an executive jet is with the approval of the cabinet and in the national interest. The MP of Pengerang, Azalina, on the other hand told the Parliament that Rosmah was invited to Doha on her personal capacity although she confirmed that the use of the jet was approved by Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin and members of the cabinet.

Comment:

The issue of the use of state property for personal gain by the leaders of a country is not a new issue and is not a strange thing in today's system of government. It happens everywhere and at all levels. It is rampant from the humblest of servants up to top officials and leaders.

In Islam, the statuses of those who work with the state are as ajir (employees). The state is the musta'jir (employer), represented by the head of state or other leaders (as trustee / governor) authorized by the state. The rights and obligations of both parties are arranged by the ijarah contract agreed. The salary to be paid by the employer is based on the job the employee has carried out in a certain period and with certain conditions that have been agreed in advance by both the employer and employee. On this basis, any income outside the salary or considerations obtained outside of what has been agreed upon by both parties is considered as unlawful earnings. Therefore, anyone who misappropriates the state's wealth for personal use is sinful and deserves to be punished in this world and in the Hereafter, more so if the misappropriation is perpetrated by the leaders of states.

Power to rule is a trust given by Allah (swt). If this trust, which is to rule by Allah's law is clearly ignored by the leaders of today's Muslim countries, what more issues concerning the misappropriation of wealth of the state! What transpires in this case where the wife of the Prime Minister was allowed to use the executive jet which is reserved for official governmental matters, when it was made distinct that the invitation to the conference is on a personal capacity, is a clear misappropriation of state wealth on the part of the leader. Misappropriation of wealth as a form of betrayal of trust under the current capitalist system will continue to haunt us as long as Islam is cast aside. Leaders who rule by Islam are leaders who are cognizant that power is a trust that Allah has put on them and they have to fulfil this trust with full devotion.

The Prophet said: «يا أبا ذر إنك ضعيف وإنها أمانة وإنها يوم القيامة خزي وندامة إلا من أخذها بحقها وأدى اليه فيها» "O Abu Dhar, you are weak and this (leadership and power) is a trust. On the day of Resurrection it will turn into shame and remorse, except for those who take the truth and fulfill that which is entrusted to them." [Muslim]

And said: «إذا وسد الأمر إلى غير أهله فانتظر الساعة» "If this matter (the trust of leadership and power) is given to one who is not capable of it, then wait for the moment's destruction." [Bukhari]

The Prophet (saw) reminds the Muslims in general and to the rulers specifically, that power is no more than a heavy burden that must be borne by them. If this burden is not fulfilled, then destruction is imminent. If we are indifferent towards our leaders who forsake the trust of authority that Allah has placed upon their shoulders, by not implementing Islam fully, then indeed, consciously or not, we are following their footsteps, walking into the fire of Hell! Nauzubillahi min dzalik!

Written for The Central Media Office of Hizb ut Tahrir by

Dr. Muhammad / Malaysia