PETALING JAYA: The redevelopment of the Jamek mosque in Kampung Baru under 1Malaysia Development Bhd’s (1MDB) corporate social responsibility activities is not a new initiative, the company said.

It said the redevelopment plan was first announced by Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak during his visit to Kampung Baru on Feb 5, 2011.

“Yayasan 1MDB contributed RM20mil to the project from 2011 to the present day,” it said in a statement.

1MDB said construction work kicked off in 2012 and the redevelopment was scheduled for completion by the end of next month.

The Prime Minister had wanted the mosque to also be a vibrant community centre for Kampung Baru residents and to serve as a catalyst for the planned development of the area, it said.

“1MDB regrets that various parties have resorted to using the project to serve their own agenda,” it said.

According to its website, 1MDB’s other CSR projects undertaken by Yayasan 1MDB include new canteens for 48 primary schools in Sarawak as well as scholarship and academic grants to study medicine, dentistry and pharmacy for religious school students.

1MDB also collaborated with Dong Jiao Zhong and Huaren Education Foundation to provide academic grants to Unified Examinations Certificate holders from Chinese independent schools to help with their tertiary studies.

It partnered with the Sri Murugan Centre as well, giving academic grants to students who excel in the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia and Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia examinations to help further their studies.

Last Friday the Prime Minister, who was opening the mosque’s new main prayer hall, said that the redevelopment project was fully borne by 1MDB.

“I asked for assistance from Yayasan 1MDB, which has come under fire on social media, with this project.

“But this redevelopment is 1MDB’s contribution to Muslims, particularly those in Kampung Baru,” Najib was quoted as saying.