MCDONALD'S MALAYSIA PAYS BUSINESS TITHE OF NEARLY RM7 MILLION SINCE 2017

PUTRAJAYA,  Nov 17 -- McDonald's Malaysia has paid business tithe amounting to RM6.5 million since the past five years , said its managing director and local operating partner, Azmir Jaafar.

Azmir said the fast food restaurant, which has been operating in Malaysia since 1982, started paying business tithe in 2017 after it was taken over by Lionhorn Pte Ltd, a subsidiary of Reza Group from Saudi Arabia.

“This year is the  fifth year McDonald's Malaysia is paying business tithe. For this year, we pay RM2 million, compared to RM1 million last year, which was distributed to all 14 states (zakat collection agencies) in Malaysia.

"Insyallah, our fast food business will continue to grow and we will be able to pay higher business tithe, " he said when met by the media after the McDonald's Malaysia 2021 zakat presentation ceremony, here yesterday.

The ceremony was witnessed by Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Ahmad Marzuk Shaary.

Describing this year's business zakat payment as the largest amount, Azmir said it was in line with McDonald's Malaysia's recognition as the first business entity to receive the Corporate Zakat Contributor Recognition Certificate from the Federal Territory Islamic Religious Council’s Zakat Collection Centre  (PPZ-MAIWP).

McDonald's Malaysia also received a similar recognition from the Selangor Zakat Board, he said.

Meanwhile, Ahmad Marzuk said it is the  the responsibility of every company or individual who conduct business with Halal Certification issued by the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (JAKIM) to pay business tithe.

 “It is demanded in Islam. The zakat payment is to help the asnaf, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, ”he added.

-- BERNAMA