KUALA LUMPUR, Aug. 20 -- PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang has claimed that Muslims are less involved in corruption compared to non-Muslims, arguing that Islamic institutions such as Tabung Haji are singled out for scrutiny specifically because of their religious branding.

In a statement issued Thursday, Hadi argued that faith and belief in accountability in the hereafter act as a restraint on Muslims, making them less likely to engage in graft than non-Muslims, whom he said dominate the country's major economic activities.

"Muslims involved in corruption are not as many as non-Muslims, because they are guarded by faith and belief that there is sin before Allah," he said.

He claimed that if an honest statistical assessment were do...