PPZ-MAIWP, BANK RAKYAT, UMSKAL LAUNCH ASNAFPRENUER PROJECT 2.0 IN LABUAN

LABUAN, June 27 (Bernama) -- The Zakat Collection Centre of the Federal Territories Islamic Religious Council (PPZ-MAIWP) in collaboration with Bank Rakyat and Universiti Malaysia Sabah Labuan International Campus (UMSKAL) today launched the Asnafpreneur Bank Rakyat 2.0 Project.

Regional Head of Bank Kerjasama Rakyat Malaysia Sabah Md Azmi Mohd Taib said the project is the second in its series as part of the initiative undertaken by the three institutions to help potential asnaf (tithe recipient) entrepreneurs in Labuan strengthen their entrepreneurial skills and expand their businesses.

“Fifty participants selected by MAIWP will receive RM5,000 each from the Bank Rakyat wakalah fund with a total contribution worth RM250,000.

bootstrap slideshow

“The entrepreneurs will also be guided through a periodical coaching and monitoring by UMSKAL over a period of six months to strengthen their business abilities,” he said at launching ceremony of the project at Menara UMSKAL here today.

He said the project reflects Bank Rakyat's ongoing commitment to helping build a progressive and inclusive society through development initiatives to empower entrepreneurs, particularly to improve the status of the asnaf community for their well-being and economic prosperity.

"Through this initiative, Bank Rakyat hopes to continue to help improve the ability of asnaf entrepreneurs in Labuan in building stronger finances to face challenges and obstacles in the future as well as providing opportunities for them to be more proactive and competitive,” he said.

bootstrap slideshow

He said that last year Bank Rakyat through the business venture fund had contributed as much as RM150,000 to 30 Labuan asnaf entrepreneurs under the project.

Meanwhile, PPZ-MAIWP chief executive officer Datuk Abdul Hakim Amir Osman believes that the project has succeeded in further strengthening the partnership between PPZ-MAIWP, Bank Rakyat and UMSKAL.

He said the collaboration between the three institutions proves that each party plays a role in developing balanced economic growth in society.

“Thus, PPZ-MAIWP calls on corporate companies to pay zakat at PPZ-MAIWP so that more asnaf in the Federal Territories including Labuan, can be helped,” he said.

UMSKAL director Assoc Prof Dr Mohamad Rizal Abdul Hamid said that kind of cooperation needs to be enhanced because one of the functions of UMSKAL is to serve the local community.

-- BERNAMA