MAIWP 2023 BUDGET TO INCREASE BY 13.5 PCT TO RM1.45 BILLION

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 22 (Bernama) -- The budget for the Federal Territory Islamic Religious Council (MAIWP) is expected to increase  next year  by 13.54 per cent to RM1.448 billion compared to RM1.28 billion in 2022.

In presenting MAIWP Budget 2023, its chairman Tan Sri Dr Mohd Daud Bakar said distribution expenditure amounted RM1.18 billion, management expenditure was estimated at RM199.55 million and development expenditure at RM70.78 million.

"The main focus of the management expenditure is on aspects of efficiency, competency and improving the quality of MAIWP services to be in line with technological developments.

“Development expenditure includes physical development activities, purchase of assets, property development and investment," he told a press conference on the 2023 MAIWP Budget here today.

He said the estimated expenditure for 2023 was based on the increase in tithe collection where the estimated income was estimated at RM1.286 billion or 15.7 per cent increase compared to this year which amounted to RM1.11 billion.

In addition, Mohd Daud said to cover this year's expenditure budget a deficit budget has been prepared through the disbursement of savings and cash reserves amounting to RM162.12 million.

At the same time, he also said the MAIWP Insani Special Zakat Assistance was given to 73,895 recipients with a total expenditure of RM50 million following rising inflation and the geopolitical crisis which had an impact on the supply of food and energy materials.

Mohd Daud said the Special Zakat Assistance would be distributed in phases until next month and this would include the Monthly Financial Assistance of RM1,000 per person and General School Assistance of  RM200 per person.

"A total of 6,600 recipients of the IPT Education Aid will receive RM500 per person, 530 institutions will receive RM30,000 per institution to help finance activities for asnaf students and to restore infrastructure of  primary, secondary, KAFA and Tahfiz schools.

"A sum of RM950,000 has also been channeled to 15 hospitals and Hospitals’ Welfare Fund to cover the cost of treatment for asnaf patients," he said.

He also said that the 2023 MAIWP Budget was approved by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah on Nov 14.

-- BERNAMA