MENCARI KEHIDUPAN DARI SUATU KEMATIAN

Monday, February 2, 2009

Skim Cepat Kaya Terbesar Dunia Tersungkur

Skim Cepat Kaya Terbesar Dunia Tersungkur

Oleh

Zaharuddin Abd Rahman

www.zaharuddin.net

Bernard L Mardoff, Pengasas skim cepat kaya terbesar di dunia akhirnya jatuh ke tanah jua, setelah mengaut keuntungan berbillion USD. Namun sekelip mata keuntungan sementaranya itu akan hilang, pada masa yang sama meninggalkan mangsanya terkapai-kapai seperti tanpa oksigen di tengah lautan.

Mardoff juga dilaporkan menggunakan sebahagian hasil keuntungan penipuan dari skim ini untuk badan kebajikan Yahudi. Akibat tindakan ke atas Mardoff, Yayasan pendidikan Yahudi tersebut turut ditutup.

madoff.jpg

Gambar : Bangunan milik Madoff

Istimewanya kali ini, mangsanya skim ini bukan lagi terhad kepada orang miskin, sederhana atau warga melayu tetapi bank-bank gergasi dunia turut menjadi mangsa kelicikan penipuannya. Mungkin kerana berselindung atas namanya yang besar di USA.

Berikut adalah senarai bank dan potensi kerugian akibat menjadi mangsa skim cepat kaya Bernard L Madoff yang bertapak di New York :-

Clients of Santander, Spain - $3.1bn

HSBC, UK - $1bn

Natixis, France - $605m

Royal Bank of Scotland, UK - $601m

BNP Paribas, France - $460m

BBVA, Spain - $400m

Man Group, UK - $360m

Reichmuth & Co, Switzerland - $325m

Nomura, Japan - $303m

Selain bank-bank di atas, pembuat filem Yahudi yang terkenal iaitu Stephen Spielberg turut menjadi mengsa.

(Rujukan )

KRISIS KEWANGAN MERUNCING

Memalukan, tidak dapat dibayangkan bagaimana jatuhnya kredibiliti seluruh bank dan pakar-pakar pelaburannya. Bagaimana mereka boleh terpedaya dengan skim ponzi sebegini.

Di pertengahan kemelut dan krisis credit crunch yang sedang menyelebungi beberapa negara maju seperti USA, UK dan eropah, kini krisis kewangan semakin meruncing akibat tangan Bernard L Madoff, seorang usahawan skim cepat kaya yang sangat ‘berjaya' dalam penipuannya.

Ini sememangnya ‘hadiah' buat Yahudi, industri riba dan haram dan mereka yang terlalu tamak. Skim Mardoff ini seperti biasa menawarkan pulangan tetap yang tinggi iaitu 10 % tahunan hingga menyebabkan pelbagai individu kaya dan bank tertipu. Ia kelihatan sedikit ‘real' berbanding skim cepat kaya lain yang biasanya 'too good to be true' kerana menawarkan pulangan lebih dari 30 %.

Ternyata tiada sebarang bisnes pendasar (underlying business) yang dijalankan oleh Mardoff bagi meraih untung yang sah di sisi undang-undang. Keuntungan yang diraih dan diagih semuanya hasil ‘downline' lalu diberikan kepada upline dan begitulah seterusnya. Itulah skim pyramid atau juga digelar ponzi scheme, sama seperti skim ea index, swiss cash dan lain-lain yang pernah diharamkan di Malaysia dahulu.

Berita BBC melaporkan selepas skim dan penipuannya terbongkar :-

he had "absolutely nothing" and "it's all just one big lie", and that it was "basically, a giant Ponzi scheme"

Dia berjaya mengabui mata ramai pelabur kapitalis melalui syarikatnya Bernard L Madoff Investment Securities yang ditubuhkan pada tahun 1960, dalam masa yang sama dia juga menjalankan bisnes hedge fund.

Kelicikannya juga menjadikannya dilantik sebagai ketua, Nasdaq Stock Market.

Kini ramai yang mempersoalkan mengapa US Securities and Exchange Commission tidak mampu mengesan penipuan ini dari awal. Sedangkan menurut laporan berita BBC beberapa pihak dan individu telah membuat laporan tetapi tiada tindakan dan penyiasatan diambil. Mungkin laporan lambat diambil tindakan kerana networking Yahudi yang bertapak kukuh di USA.

Benar, laporan dari orang ramai amat penting tetapi jika pihak berkuasa tidak bertindak penipuan akan berterusan. Kita di Malaysia, pihak Bank Negara Malaysia dan Suruhnajaya Sekuriti amat diharapkan menambahkan kepantasan siasatan apabila mendapat laporan dari orang ramai, sebelum lebih ramai menjadi mangsa.

Alhamdulillah semakin ramai yang peka dan sudi melaporkan apabila timbul skim-skim dan binses yang meragukan. Namun demikian tidak mustahil sama sekali, penipuan hanya akan dapat dikesan agak terlewat lalu boleh menyebabkan kerugian wang yang banyak.

LAHIRKAN JUTAWAN BUKAN UKURAN

Saya kerap mendengar hujjah pemain skim cepat kaya yang mendakwa bisnes mereka benar dan kemampuan melahirkan ramai jutawan sebagai buktinya.

Sejak dari awal, kita boleh menilai hujjah ini adalah lemah, malah kini terbukti ia boleh mencipta seorang billioanaire seperti Mardoff, namun ia tetap salah dan tetap skim cepat kaya dan tetap akan tergolek juga akhirnya.

Di Malaysia penipuan skim ini boleh dianggap antara yang tercanggih di dunia, pelbagai teknik licik digunakan bagi megabui mata pelabur seperti mendapatkan Lesen Jualan Langsung, Koperasi, punyai beberapa produk dan banyak lagi. Sehingga sukar dibezakannya dengan syarikat jualan langsung dan koperasi yang sebenar.

Justeru, saya nasihatkan mereka yang sedang berfikir-fikir untuk menyertai sebarang skim agar lebih berhati-hati. Penangkapan dan serbuan demi serbuan tidak dinafikan akan menjadikan syarikat yang masih berbaki lebih kreatif dan licik dalam menutup penipuan mereka.

TIDAK KEBAL AKHIRNYA

Apa yang menarik dari kes ini juga, kita dapat melihat walaupun Mardoff agak kebal di peirngkat awal namun akhirnya ‘jatuh ke tanah jua' dengan desakan ketelusan pihak berkuasa di USA. Ia agak Pastinya tindakan adalah lewat kerana, melibatkan individu Yahudi, billionaire dan orang besar ( Pengerusi ) di Bursa Saham Nasdaq New York, namun tahniah atas tindakan yang diambil.

Bayangkan pula kalau ia di negara-negara sedang membangun seperti Malaysia. Rasuah mungkin akan menjadi penyelamat, atau jawatannya turut menggentarkan para penyiasat. Namun di negara-negara maju, mereka boleh sedikit terlewat tetapi akhirnya akan ‘kena' juga.

Akhirnya, telitilah dua tiga atau sepuluh kali sebelum menyertai mana-mana skim atau bisnes yang berpaksikan sistem pyramid dan yang hampir dengannya, ia mungkin skim cepat kaya yang bakal tersungkur sedikit masa lagi.

Sekian

Zaharuddin Abd Rahman

www.zaharuddin.net

Teruskan Ponzi Sekadar Dapatkan Modal Semula Oleh

Teruskan Ponzi Sekadar Dapatkan Modal Semula

Oleh

Zaharuddin Abd Rahman

www.zaharuddin.net

Soalan

Assalamualaikum,

Apa hukum teruskan Skim Ponzi setelah insaf dengan tujuan mendapatkan semula modal sahaja?

Contoh, modal RM20K @ RM300 sebulan selama 10 tahun, sangat membebankan bagi pekerja berpendapatan rendah.

JAWAPAN

Telah kita ketahui bahawa skim piramid atau ponzi adalah Riba Nasiah dan Riba al-Fadhl kerana duit berbalas duit yang tidak sama nilainya dan dibuat secara bertangguh.

Ia juga tergolong dalam kategori haram kerana penipuan dan memakan harta orang lain secara zalim.

Selain itu, ia sekali lagi jatuh haram kerana bercanggah dengan undang-undang sesebuah Negara termasuklah Negara bebas seperti US dan United Kingdom.

Justeru, meneruskan usaha mencari ‘downline' setelah mengetahui ia adalah skim yang salah dan haram di sisi hokum Islam dan Negara adalah DILRANG DAN HARAM juga.

komsiyen.jpg

Alasan untuk mendapatkan semula modal TIDAK SAMA SEKALI mengharuskan seseorang untuk terus melibatkan orang lain dalam mudarat skim ini. Ia jelas sama seperti si mangsa yang sedar itu sedang berusaha mencuri duit orang lain dengan alasan ingin mendapatkan modalnya yang dicuri oleh uplinenya.

Ia tidak dibenarkan,

Apa yang sepatutnya dilakukannya adalah :-

1) Meminta wang modalnya kembali dari upline dan memulangkan apa-apa produk syarikat (jika ada) yang dijadikan umpan untuk pembayaran.

2) Menuntut kembali wang dari syarikat (jika syarikat masih beroperasi)

3) Jika syarikat degil, memfailkan saman di mahkamah ke atas individu pemilik syarikat, kerana jika difailkan atas syarikat, kemungkinan syarikat tersbeut akan diserbu dan ditamtkan oleh pihak berkuasa justeru, failkan saman kepada individu pemilik syarikat. Kelak pihak mahkamah yang akan memutuskan bagaimana hak mangsa berkenaan pembayaran balik modalnya.

4) Jika semua usaha di atas gagal, anggaplah ia sebagai pembersihan harta-harta syubhat dan haram yang mungkin tidak disengajai atau dengan sengaja berada di dalam milik anda.

Janganlah bersedih kerana harta dan kehidupan dunia ini gunanya sementara sahaja. Gembiralah kerana diingati oleh Allah lalu diujinya dan dibersihkannya dari harta-harta yang kurang elok.

Jangan lupa juga, wajiblah dilaporkan skim ponzi kepada pihak berkuasa secepat mungkin sebelum mereka mendapat lebih ramai mangsa, bantulah individu lain agar mereka tidak terjebak dengan segera menamatkan ‘hayat' syarikat tersebut. Itulah tuntutan Islam sebagaimana hadis nabi :

انصر أخاك ظالما أو مظلوما

فقالوا: يا رسول الله عرفنا كيف ننصره إذا كان مظلوماً، فكيف ننصره إذا كان ظالماً؟

قال: تردعه وتحجزه عن الظلم فذلك نصره

Ertinya : Sabda nabi : bantulah saudaramu yang zalim dan yang dizalimi.

Sahabat bertanya : " kami faham tuntutan membantu mereka yang dizalimi, tetapi bagaimana dengan mereka yang zalim?"

Jawab Nabi : Iaitu dengan menghalangnya dari terus melakukan kezaliman, itulah erti membantunya) ( Riwayat Muslim)

Sekian

Zaharuddin Abd Rahman

http://www.zaharuddin.net/

19 Disember 2008

Hukum Jual Beli Lelong di Ebay & Swoopo

Hukum Jual Beli Lelong di Ebay & Swoopo

Oleh

Zaharuddin Abd Rahman

www.zaharuddin.net

Jual beli secara lelong dikenali dalam Islam dengan nama "al-Muzayadah", iaitu satu kalimah yang memberi erti dari sudut bahasanya "saling naik menaik" dalam konteks jual beli lelong ini ‘kesemua pihak (bakal-bakal pembeli) cuba menawarkan harga yang lebih mahal kepada penjual, sesiapa yang menawarkan harga tertinggi, mereka akan dikira sebagai pemenang.

auction1.jpg

Apabila tukang lelong atau wakilnya menghentikan lelongan, beerti penjual telah redha dengan satu harga tertinggi dan ini menyebabkan kontrak jual beli yang mengandungi ‘ijab dan qabul termeterai secara automatik di antara kedua belah pihak. Jual beli ini adalah halal disisi Islam dengan syarat-syaratnya.

Antara asas kepada keharusan lelongan ini adalah hadis :-

أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ بَاعَ حِلْسًا ) بساط للأرض أو كساء لظهر الدابة ) وَقَدَحًا وَقَالَ مَنْ يَشْتَرِي هَذَا الْحِلْسَ وَالْقَدَحَ فَقَالَ رَجُلٌ أَخَذْتُهُمَا بِدِرْهَمٍ فَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ مَنْ يَزِيدُ عَلَى دِرْهَمٍ مَنْ يَزِيدُ عَلَى دِرْهَمٍ فَأَعْطَاهُ رَجُلٌ دِرْهَمَيْنِ فَبَاعَهُمَا مِنْه

Erti : Sesungguhnya Rasulullah s.a.w menjual hilsan (hamparan seperti permaidani atau selimut di belakang binatang kenderaan) , lalu bersabda : Adakah sesiapa ingin membeli hamparan ini , lalu berkata seorang lelaki : Aku setuju untuk mengambilnya dengan harga satu dirham, lalu baginda Nabi s.a.w bersabda lagi : ada sesiapa ingin membayar lebih dari satu dirham, lalu seorang lelaki setuju dan membayar dua dirham, lalu Nabi s.a.w menjualnya kepada lelaki itu. ( Riwayat At-Tirmidzi, no 1139, At-Tirmidzi : Hadis Hasan) [1]

Hukum jualan ini juga telah terdapat ijma berkenaan keharusannya, sebagaimana di sebutkan oleh para ulama mazhab Hanbali, Manakala mazhab Syafie mensyaratkan ia mestilah tidak berniat memberi mudarat kepada sesiapa dan benar-benar ingin membeli, jika tidak dikira sebagai an-Najash yang haram [2]

Majlis Fiqh Antarabangsa yang bernaung di bawah Al-Munazzamah Al-Muktamar Al-Islami telah pun mengeluarkan resolusi keharusan jual beli lelong dengan syarat-syaratnya, antara yang disebut dalam resolusinya adalah :-

•a- Setiap proses selanjutnya (setelah menang) seperti catatan secara bertulis, syarat-syarat pembayaran, pentadbiran dan undang-undang mestilah tidak bercanggah dengan hukum Syariah.

•b- Penganjur atau penjual dibenarkan meminta jaminan daripada mereka yang turut serta dalam majlis lelongan bagi memastikan semua mereka adalah pembeli berpotensi yang sebenar dan komit dengan pembelian sekiranya menang.

•c- Dibenarkan penganjur lelongan mengambil caj masuk atau penyertaan dengan SYARAT Ia tidak melebihi nilai sebenarnya. (bermakna ia mestilah nilai minima dan pihak penganjur tidak akan mengambil keutungan darinya tetapi sekadar urusan pentadbiran sahaja).

•d- Diharamkan pihak penjual atau penganjur melakukan bidaan-bidaan palsu agar harga lelongan naik. Ia dinamakan An-Najash yang diharamakan secara jelas oleh Nabi s.a.w. Antara bentuk lain bagi An-Najash adalah orang yang tidak membeli mempromosikan barang yang dijual dengan pujian berkenaan kualitinya berdasarkan kepakarannya, ia dilakukan bagi mendorong peserta majlis lelong menaikkan lagi harga. Sedangkan apa yang dikatakan adalah dirancang dengan pihak penjual.

•e- Penjual dan rakan mereka menipu harga pasaran, kononnya jualan sedang berada di tahap yang sangat murah.

•f- Penjual mempromosikan kualiti tinggi barangan yang boleh dibaca, dengar dan lihat bagi menaikkan harga sedangkan hakikatnya tidak sedemikian.

Hukum Lelong di E-BAY

Setelah menerangkan serba ringkas asas dan panduan bagi jual dan belian lelong di atas, hasil pengamatan dan percubaan saya melakukan pembelian di e-bay, saya dapati hukum pembelian melalui ebay adalah HARUS selagi mana barang yang dibeli BUKAN emas, perak dan matawang semasa yang diguna pakai (bukan yang antik tanpa nilai).

Pembelian ketiga-tiga item tadi diwajibkan untuk serah dan terima secara semerta, namun barangan yang dibeli biasanya akan dihantar lewat disebabkan proses-prosesnya, namun demikian terdapat fatwa lebih ringan yang mengizinkan kelewatan selama tempoh 3 hari dari tempoh pembelian. Ia adalah pandangan mazhab Maliki, ia berdasarkan kaedah fiqh yang popular iaitu :-

ما قارب الشيء يعطي حكمه

Ertinya : Apa-apa yang hampir dengan sesuatu maka akan mengambil hukum sesuatu itu[3]

Kesimpulan berkenaan hukum membeli melalui ebay adalah :-

•1) Dibenarkan atau harus untuk MEMBELI di web e-bay. Kecuali pembelian tiga item tadi mestilah dengan menjaga syarat yang telah disebut di atas. Pandangan lebih selamat agar menjauhi pembelian emas, perak dan matawang melalui ebay, berpegang kepada fatwa majoriti ulama silam dan kontemporari.

•2) Dibenarkan atau harus untuk MENJUAL di web ebay. Namun demikian komisyen yang diambil oleh paypal dan ebay dari pembeli adalah harus atas hujah ia adalah caj servis atau wakil atas sesuatu kerja. Namun demikian caj tersebut MESTILAH DILKETAHUI CARA KIRAAN dan jumlahnya dari awal penjualan dibuat.

Menerima bayaran dari pembeli yang menggunakan kad kredit konvensional adalah HARUS kerana ia di luarkuasa dan tanggungjawab penjual.

•3) Pembayaran melalui kad kredit konvensional adalah haram, walaupun pembeli membayar harga ‘on time' kepada pengeluar kad, ia adalah kerana setiap pembeliannya akan memberikan komisyen kepada pengeluar kad kredit riba, ia akan dikira membantu perkembangan industri kad kredit riba secara langsung.

•4) PayPal ; Pembayaran melalui pay pal adalah mengikuti hukum kad yang disandarkan kepada paypal, iaitu kad kredit, debit atau charge card yang digunakan. Jika ia adalah kad yang dikeluarkan secara konvensional, justeru pembayaran melalui pay pal turut haram.

•5) Tempoh Serah : Mestilah diketahui tempoh hantaran barang akan dibuat dan anggaran tarikh ia akan sampai ke tangan pembeli.

•6) Jaminan : Mestilah diketahui atau boleh dihubungi penjual sekiranya barang masih tidak sampai melepasi tempoh yang dijanjikan.

•7) Jaminan atas kerosakan atau aib ; Satu fakta tambahan yang menjadikan ebay semakin selamat adalah ganti rugi dari pihak ebay. Menurut mereka yang kerap berurusan dengan ebay, pihak ebay turut menyediakan peruntukan ganti rugi bagi sesiapa yang menghadapi penipuan melalui transaksi jual beli di ebay. Rakan saya di Swansea, UK pernah menerima ganti rugi beberapa ratus £ apabila television yang dibelinya melalui ebay mempunyai kerosakan yang tidak dinyatakan dengan jelas oleh penjual dalam spesifikasi jualan.

Tindakan dan peruntukan ganti rugi ebay seperti ini menjadikan unsur gharar menjadi mengecil dan jatuh dalam kategori gharar yasir yang dimaafkan.

LELONG DI SWOOPO

Saya turut ditanya satu lagi web lelongan yang kian popular iaitu www.swoopo.co.uk

Setelah meneliti terma dan syarat penyertaan dalam lelongan swoopo, saya mendapati lelongan swoopo berbeza dengan ebay, antara terma yang cukup berbeza dengan ebay adalah :-

3. Bid Purchasing for Online Bidding / Payment / FreeBids

Bidding rights, so-called "bids", must be purchased and paid for by users prior to online bidding. Bids can be purchased in packages (so-called "BidPacks") at the currently applicable prices, which can be viewed in "My Swoopo" under "Buy Online Bids".

Payment can be made by credit/debit card or via payment agents such as PayPal.

Should a payment not be honoured by a user, a returned payment fee will be charged. The user will be responsible for these fees. Swoopo reserves the right to block access to the user's account until payment in full of the invoice amount, including any fees due to returned payment etc., and to withhold any outstanding deliveries until payment is received in full.

Certain bids (e.g. some "FreeBids") are valid only for a limited time. Upon expiration of the time stated, the bids expire and can no longer be placed. Refunds are not available for expired bids.

4. Bidding / Use of the BidButler

Users can bid in two ways online. Bids can be placed by clicking on the relevant bid buttons, or can be placed automatically by a BidButler. Once a bid is placed, it is deducted from the user's bid account.

KESIMPULAN

Jual dan beli atau bidaan melalui web swoopo adalah HARAM kerana terdapat unsur judi dan gharar yang cukup besar. Ini kerana setiap peserta perlu membeli hak untuk bid yang punyai nilai tertentu, dan hanya punyai beberapa kali peluang bid berdasarkan nilai pakackage bid yang dibeli. Ia ternayat dengan jelas dalam ayat ini ;-

Bidding rights, so-called "bids", must be purchased and paid for by users prior to online bidding. Bids can be purchased in packages (so-called "BidPacks") at the currently applicable prices,

Dan ini

Each bid costs just 40 pence, available in "BidPacks" of 25, 50, 100, 250 and 500 [4]

Anda dapat melihat bagaimana satu kali bid fee dan dikenakan adalah 40 pence ( RM 2.00 ), anda dikehendaki membeli bidpack dalam package di atas, cuba kalikan dan lihat berapakah tunai yang perlu anda bayar untuk menyertai bidding ini.

Ia jelas dan terang menjadi judi apabila disebut dalam termanya :-

Users can bid in two ways online. Bids can be placed by clicking on the relevant bid buttons, or can be placed automatically by a BidButler. Once a bid is placed, it is deducted from the user's bid account. [5]

Tatkala itu, ia sama seperti judi yang mana pembayaran hak bid dijadikan sebagai wang taruhan, dan barang yang dijual dijadikan seperti hadiah kemenangan. Manakala semua pembida yang tewas akan kehilangan wang bidaannya.

Sekian

Zaharuddin Abd Rahman

http://www.zaharuddin.net/

16 Januari 2009



[1] Hadis ini bagaimanapun dikritik oleh sebahagian pakar yang mengatakannya dhoif, namun dibalas oleh ulama lain bahawa ia mempunyai sandaran-sandaran nas lain (shawahid) sebagai penguat.

[2] Al-Mawsu'ah Al-Fiqhiyah Al-Kuwaitiyah, hlm 220

[3] Al-Ashabh wa an-Nazair, As-Suyuti, hlm 82

[4] http://www.swoopo.co.uk/help.html

[5] http://www.swoopo.co.uk/help.html

Dharurat (necessity) When An Islamic Bank Rejects Your Application ?

Dharurat (necessity) When An Islamic Bank

Rejects Your Application ?

By

Zaharuddin Abd Rahman

www.zaharuddin.net

"Ustaz, I have tried to seek financing from Islamic banks but they rejected it. Would it be sinful to get a riba-based financing from a conventional bank and would it be considered as dharurat?" a man asked me.

Is it dharurat or hajiat if my application is rejected?

It is not necessarily dharurat. The argument would be the Fiqh maxim:

إنما أبيح للضرورة وإنما تستيقن الضرورة بعد الطلب

"Indeed, what is permissible under dharurat indeed needs confidence of the existence of the situation after attempts (to find what is halal)."

Hence in this case, is it dharurat or hajiat if an application is rejected by one Islamic bank? You must have applied to all Islamic banks and Islamic windows in Malaysia, before claiming that you are in difficulty and desperate to get involved with conventional banks. Here is a list of Islamic Banks and Islamic windows that are available in Malaysia:

mahal?

Full-fledge Islamic banks:

1. Affin Islamic Bank Berhad

2. Al Rajhi Banking & Investment Corporation (Malaysia) Bhd

3. AmIslamic Bank Berhad

4. Asian Finance Bank Berhad

5. Bank Islam Malaysia Berhad

6. Bank Muamalat Malaysia Berhad

7. CIMB Islamic Bank Berhad

8. EONCAP Islamic Bank Berhad

9. Hong Leong Islamic Bank Berhad

10. Kuwait Finance House (Malaysia) Berhad

11. RHB ISLAMIC Bank Berhad

Conventional banks with Islamic window operation:

1. ABN Amro Bank Berhad

2. Alliance Bank Malaysia Berhad

3. Citibank Berhad

4. HSBC Bank Malaysia Berhad (The Islamic department is called HSBC Amanah)

5. Malayan Banking Berhad

6. OCBC Bank (Malaysia) Berhad

7. Public Bank Berhad

8. Standard Chartered Bank Malaysia Berhad (The Islamic department is called Standard Chartered Sadiq)

Note: All these banks offer Islamic financing products that have been certified by their Syariah council.

Other financial institutions that offer Islamic products and services are :

1. Bank Perusahan Kecil & Sederhana Malaysia Berhad

2. Bank Kerjasama Rakyat Malaysia Berhad

3. Export-Import Bank of Malaysia Berhad

4. Bank Pertanian Malaysia

5. Bank Simpanan Nasional Berhad

Source: BNM

If all these banks rejected your application because you are not qualified or are black listed, you can try several co-operative institutions that offer Islamic financing (but it is only for those who qualify, such as public sector employees).

For Islamic Insurance or Takaful, you must find protection from Takaful companies that are recognized, such as:

1. CIMB Aviva Takaful Berhad

2. Hong Leong Tokio Marine Takaful Berhad

3. HSBC Amanah Takaful (Malaysia) Berhad

4. MAA Takaful Berhad

5. Prudential BSN Takaful Berhad

6. Syarikat Takaful Malaysia Berhad

7. Takaful Ikhlas Sdn Bhd

8. Takaful Nasional Sdn Berhad

Source: BNM, as at July 2007

Every bank and Takaful organizer has their own credit evaluation process. Banks also have their own target market and may not offer a full spectrum of financing. For example, Asian Finance Bank does not offer car financing, Bank Islam Malaysia Berhad does not finance used car purchases while RHB Islamic Bank offers financing for used car but limited to certain brands. Hence, a rejected application at one Islamic bank does not imply that other Islamic banks will also reject your application.

If all the financial institutions above rejected your application, then the method of hajiat or dharurat can be applied, but in a limited context:

ما أبيح للضرورة يقدر بقدرها

"Whatever permitted because of dharurat, it is still limited to certain boundaries." 114

It stipulates minimum usage and has certain limitations i.e. this means it has to be limited to the amount and to the rate that is needed only and not for excess. In the context of house financing for example, the usage of dharurat should be limited only for the first home and not

for investment through leasing and others.

How does an Islamic bank evaluate applicants?

Every bank has its own method, and I am unable to explain all of their methods, as they are characteristically technical. In general, the banks will review:

1) Your monthly income and debts from other banks.

Known as ‘Margin of Repayment' and ‘Aggregated margin of repayment'. Every Islamic bank will set a specific percentage representing the customers' ability to repay according to the bank's credit standard. For example, a bank's credit policy may require its customers to have 50 percent of their income free from any existing debt obligation.

Calculation of the formula:

Installment payment of Bank A + B + C = less than 50 percent

Total Monthly Gross Income

For example, Mr. Karim, who earns a monthly income of RM5 000, has a house with gradual payment of RM1 000, two cars for RM550 and RM600 respectively. Now he wants to buy

another house, hence the bank will assess his income strength based on this:

RM 1000 + RM 550 + RM 600 = 43%

RM 5000

As his total obligation compared to his monthly income is less than 50 percent, Mr. Karim's application will be approved. If it is more than 50 percent, Mr. Karim might need to find a guarantor or joint applicant to strengthen his financial capability in his application to the bank.

2) CTOS: This report normally indicates the customer's legal status; eg. Fines, bankruptcy, any court cases and others matters related to the law. According to CTOS Sdn Bhd, they update their database every day based on publicly available information from the National Insolvency Department, newspapers etc.

Recently however, their services have sparked controversy as the information on their database was not updated properly and many applications were rejected by the banks.

3) Central Credit Reference Information System (CCRIS):

Currently the system has information on 5 million borrowers and customers of banks in Malaysia. A bank can obtain the payment track record of an applicant via this system. Banks will know whether the applicant has defaulted on any debts with other banks, be it a credit card, house or car debt. If the applicant is a bad paymaster, he will have difficulty getting approval.

4) Type of car and the year manufactured (for a car acquisition) and the developer (for acquisition of a house under construction)

Some cars have a weak competitive advantage and are difficult to re-sell in the market. An Islamic bank may be reluctant to finance the acquisition of these cars as there is a higher risk of default.

This requirement is also applicable to the developer and location of the house that you are buying. Not all Islamic banks may review it, but in general, it is analyzed to assess the risk profile of the transaction. The information highlighted above is only a general overview of what an Islamic bank evaluates to decide whether to approve or reject an application.

CAN AN ISLAMIC BANK REJECT MUSLIM APPLICATION?

After looking at the assessment process, one may ask if it is reasonable for a bank to refuse an application of a customer who is looking for a permissible way to own a car, a house etc.?

First: As explained before, Islamic banks are business entities. They certainly would not want to expose themselves to excessive risk by providing financing to an individual who is considered a financial risk (according to their requirements).

Consider a simple example: You are planning to rent out your apartment for RM800 as you are paying the bank RM750 in installment. A man is interested in leasing it but does not have a secure job. Will you lease it to him? In this case, you have to prepare a proper budget in order to profit and at the same time ensure you meet the monthly payment to the bank.

The same applies to a bank. A bank is responsible for ensuring their investors receive good returns. To ensure they are making profit surely the bank would have to select the customers it is willing to finance.

In conclusion, the decision to lease your house to a customer or not will depend on the standard that you have set. If you review books written by financial experts, they will recommend leasing the asset to someone that has reliable financial capacity.

Second: From the Islamic perspective, if someone would like to borrow, it is recommended you evaluate the debtor's honesty and capability in repaying the debt in the near future, unless you intend to donate to the borrower in his time of need.

Allah s.w.t. said:

وَإِن كَانَ ذُو عُسْرَةٍ فَنَظِرَةٌ إِلَى مَيْسَرَةٍ وَأَن تَصَدَّقُواْ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ

"If the debtor is in difficulty, grant him time till it is easy for him to repay. But if you remit it by way of charity, that is best for you if you only knew." [2:280]

To remit the debt as charity to a borrower is indeed a noble act and it is highly recommended to help others. However, for business entities such as Islamic banks, giving away thousands of ringgit in debt could have devastating effects to its operation. Hence, if we do not intend to consider the debt as charity or give more time to the borrower during his time of need, then it is better if we do not give the debt at all because it will cause the borrower to sin as stated in this hadith:

The Prophet states:

إن الرجل إذا غرم حدث فكذب , ووعد فأخلف

"If a person is in debt, he tells lies when he speaks, and breach his promises when he promises." (Narrated by Al-Bukhari, 1/214)

Also, in another hadith:

مطل الغني ظلم

"Postponement of debt repayment by a competent person is cruelty." (Al-Bukhari, 3/55)

The scholars have ruled that someone who purposely delays his debt repayment should be punished according to takzir. Imam Al-Haithami also stated that a person who is capable of paying but postpones it on purpose is considered committing a big sin. 115

In conclusion, giving debt to a person who does not qualify could cause them to commit one of these three sins:

a. Speaks and lies

b. Promises and deceives

c. Has the money but postpones paying, then he is included in the

‘Mumatil' and is considered cruel by the Prophet s.a.w. Therefore, it is not appropriate to accuse Islamic banks of being inconsiderate if our application is rejected, because from the Islamic perspective, they have to prioritize their business decisions and prevent customers from defaulting. For effective financial planning, try to make sure that your debt obligation is less than 50 percent of your income. This is a good financial practice.

Academicians at universities are proposing Islamic micro-credit financing which focuses more on lower income individuals who struggle to obtain financing. However, the problem is that we lack rich individuals and companies that are willing to let go of profitable opportunities and provide micro financing that offer small profits but big rewards. Thus, the academicians' proposal remains a theory.

Zaharuddin Abd Rahman

http://www.zaharuddin.net/

20 Oct 2008-10-20

21 Syawal 1429 H

Wales, UK

Islamic Economics: An Alternative? Solving World Financial Crisis

Islamic Economics: An Alternative?

Solving World Financial Crisis

By

Dr.Hussein Shehatah

Consultative Expert on the Islamic Financial Transactions

and Professor at Al-Azhar University.

Signs of the collapse of the world financial system have emerged, causing great panic to people all over the world. Many governments called upon economists and experts to find a way out. Financial institutions and their agents began to think about rescue plans.

Many people rushed to draw their deposits from banks. At the same time, several financial institutions have frozen the process of granting loans to companies and individuals for fear that it might be difficult to take them back.

The drop in the circulation of money among individuals, companies and financial institutions has given rise to a sharp slowdown in the economic activity. As a consequence, debtors have become unable to pay back their debts.

Wall Street meltdown dealt a severe blow to the level of exchanges in money and exchange markets causing indexes to fluctuate. Furthermore, used capacities in companies were decreased due to the decrease in financial flow and the inability to take loans from financial institutions, except at high interest rates with heavy guarantees.

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This shortage of financial flow decreased consumption of certain commodities, like cars and real estate sector. The drop in consumption decreases savings, investment projects, and hence increases unemployment which is eerily climb as many companies become bankrupt threatening many employees to lose their jobs.

Causes of the Crisis

Maurice Allais, an expert on world economy and a Nobel Prize laureate in economics, said, "The world economic system is based on some concepts and rules that will be the very cause of its destruction unless treated and rectified quickly."

In fact, many economists argue that the neo-capitalist world economic system rests on principles that will lead to its ruin.

It can be argued that among the reasons that led to the crisis is the spread of moral economic corruption, such as exploitation, lying, circulation of prejudiced rumors, cheating, monopoly and the engagement of nominal transactions, with no real value. In this way, the wealthy and creditors oppress the poor and debtors who, as a consequence of being unable to bear such oppression anymore or pay back these debts and loans, will grumble and be resentful.

Also, wealth has become a weapon used to dominate and control politics around the world. Money has become the idol the capitalist economy.

Interest-backed banking system inflicts mounting debts on consumers by working within the framework of the system of trading debts, either by selling, buying or brokerage.

The more the interest rate on deposits increases, the more the interest rate on the loans granted to individuals and companies will also increase. Only banks and stockbrokers benefit from this, whereas the debtors, who take loans for consumption or production purposes, bear this heavy burden alone.

Credit card debt inflicts high costs on the consumer, and when one can not pay back his debts, the interest rate is continuously increased. Ultimately, consumer's property will be confiscated in order to guarantee security. This has actually happened to many holders of such credit cards, causing an imbalance of their house budgets.

Indeed, banks impose additional burdens on the borrower who is not able yet to discharge the first loan due to the increasingly higher rate of interest. This is similar to usurers in the pre-Islamic period of Ignorance who would say to a debtor, "Either you repay or augment."

Furthermore, Stock brokerage firms deceives those in need of loans as they claim high commission payment if there are potential risks, leaving the poor debtors to bear their burden and attributed negative consequences.

Actually, Some economists believe that no real development or wise employment of the means of production could be achieved unless the interest rate is zero. This view was held by Adam Smith, the Father of modern economics.

Furthermore, economists think that the alternative is based on participating in profit and loss, because it brings about stability and security. In addition, interest-based system results in the accumulation of wealth in the hands of few people who will thus be in control of the world's fortunes.

In addition, The world financial system rests on the basis of the financial derivatives system that depends mainly on nominal transactions, with no real exchanges of goods or services. What is even worse is that most of these transactions are based on credits taken from banks in the form of loans, and when things develop unfavorably all that collapses triggering the financial crisis.

Islamic Economics

The current financial crisis debunks the myths of Capitalism, opening the way for alternative economic systems to emerge, among which is the Islamic finance and economy.

Yet, instead of just reacting to the crisis, scholars of Islamic economics ought to explain the concepts and principles of the Islamic financial and economic system and present its reference and applications to wider audience.

The Islamic economic and financial system is based on a set of values, ideals, and morals, such as honesty, credibility, transparency, clear evidence, facilitation, co-operation, complementarity ,and solidarity.

These morals and ideals are fundamental because they ensure stability, security, and safety for all those involved in financial transactions. Furthermore, the Islamic Shari`ah prohibits the economic and financial transactions that involve lying, gambling, cheating, gharar (risk-taking), gahalah (unawareness), monopoly, exploitation, greed, unfairness, and taking people's money unjustly.

In addition, Islamic economy promotes participation in profit, loss, and actual exchanges of money and assets. In fact, there should be real interaction between the wealthy, employers, the employees, and financial experts.

There is no party who is a constant winner or a constant loser; yet profit and loss is mutually shared.

Based on Shari`ah regulations, economic contracts entail mudarabah, sharing, murabaha, istisnaa`, salm, igarah, and sharecropping. Shari`ah prohibits all forms of investment-based contracts of funding that involve interest loans forbidding financial transactions that involve gharar (risk-taking) and gahalah (unawareness).

Actually, economic experts assert that the system of financial derivatives can not bring about real development. Financial derivatives create only money, with no real value, causing inflation and price rise ,as well as moral decadence. For example, financial derivatives caused quick collapse of East Asian financial institutions.

Regarding debts, Shari`ah prohibits all forms of selling debts, like discounting promissory notes and checks with postponed payments. Also forbidden under the Shari`ah is the scheduling of debts at a higher interest rate. Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) forbade the sale of debts. In fact, economists contend that selling debts has exacerbated the financial crisis.

Actually, the Islamic economic and financial system makes it easier for the borrower to repay debts. Almighty Allah says: "And in case any person is under difficulty, then he should (be granted) a respite to (the time of) ease..." (Chapter 2: Verse 280).

Shari`ah allows for a system of funding and investment based on participation in both profit and loss and interaction between capital and labor. Shari`ah calls on the parties involved in transactions to behave in a truthful, honest, clear and transparent way by prohibiting gharar, gahalah, cheating, gambling, lying, rumors, exploitation and taking people's money unjustly.

In a word, the only way out of this crisis can be found in the principles and regulations of the Islamic economics


Source :

Sunday, February 1, 2009

Pilihanraya kecil di Perak

perkembangan terbaru mengenai dua ahli dewan undangan negeri perak yang meletak jawatan berikutan kenyataan daripada spekaer perak
Speaker serah surat pada SPR Perak
Feb 2, 09 10:43am

Speaker Dewan Undangan Negeri (DUN) Perak, V Sivakumar berjumpa dengan pengarah Suruhanjaya Pilihanraya (SPR) Perak, Adli Abdullah jam 8 pagi ini.

Dalam perjumpaan di pejabat SPR Perak, Sivakumar telah menyerahkan surat secara rasmi kepasda SPR negeri untuk mengadakan pilihanraya kecil bagi DUN Changkat Jering dan Behrang.

Semalam, Sivakumar berkata beliau telah menerima surat peletakan jawatan dari Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri (Adun) Behrang, Jamaluddin Mat Radzi dan Adun Changkat Jering, Osman Jailu.

Dinar emas mampu selamatkan ekonomi Islam

hanya dinar emas menyelamatkan ekonomi islam

kegawatan ekonomi ekoran daripada merudumnya nilai Dolar AS telah menyebabkan seluruh dunia merasai bahangnya termasuklah Malaysia dan seluruh negara -negara islam

ini kerana dunia menggunakan dolar AS sebagai tukaran antarabangsa apabila melakukan import dan eksport.

sekarang sudah tiba masanya negara islam menggunakan Dinar emas sebagai tukaran antarabangsa untuk semua negara-negara islam.

islam haruslah kembali seperti asal semasa zaman pemerintahan Nabi Muhammad SAW lagi Dinar telah di gunakan di Madinah al Munawarah kemudian berkembang ke seluruh pelusuk dunia.

dengan kebaikan Dinar yang mempunyai nilai yang lebih kukuh berbanding wang kertas menyebabkan nilainya sukar jatuh dan harganya akan meningkat walaupun ketika mengalami inflasi

DEMI MASA