Najib had been scheduled to distribute the tithes to 6,264 recipients in his parliamentary constituency here.

“I contacted the organiser to enquire if I could come,” said Abdul Rahman. “Thank god, they said okay except that there was no preparation for me. I was not bothered, so I left (for Pekan) straight from the house (as early as 7 am).”

His visit was so unexpected that the emcee only mentioned him as a ‘servant of Allah’ when calling for him to come on stage to make the tithe pledge to Najib. Abdul Rahman’s name had not been listed on the schedule among those paying tithe during the function.

“I think it is not wrong to pay my tithe here as my company also has several business transactions here,” he told Bernama, despite his early reluctance to be interviewed.

Abdul Rahman, managing director of Syarikat Atlanta Resources Sdn Bhd, handed over RM100,000 in commercial tithe from his company’s construction activities to meet his religious obligation and as the best way to help the needy.

“We believe it is better if we share what we have. The more we give away to help the needy, the more we will get back in future. The last 10 days of Ramadan are also the best time to increase our prayers,” he said.

One of the recipients was Moktar Omar, 67, of Kampung Ketapang Tengah here, who said the contribution which would be used for Aidilfitri preparations.

“We celebrate moderately every year. Indeed, the money will be used to buy raya cookies,” said Mokhtar who has seven children.

Another recipient Rosnah Yusuf, 44, of Kuala Pahang here regarded the contribution as a Ramadan blessing for her and her eight children.

– BERNAMA