MAIM Identifies Four Major Challenges In Expanding, Managing Wakaf Land

MELAKA, Dec 30 (Bernama) -- The Melaka Islamic Religious Council (MAIM) has identified four major challenges in expanding and managing wakaf land, the state legislative assembly was told today.

State Education, Higher Education, and Religious Affairs Committee chairman Datuk Rahmad Mariman said the first challenge involves legal issues, despite Melaka having a specific wakaf enactment, namely the Waqf (State of Melaka) Enactment 2005.

He said that there are challenges in enforcing the jurisdiction provisions, particularly in registering undocumented wakaf properties, as well as challenges related to taxation, land development, and enforcement.

bootstrap slideshow

“The second challenge involves funding, as MAIM does not have a dedicated fund to carry out commercial development projects. This is because wakaf land cannot be transferred in ownership to obtain end financing, nor can it be mortgaged for bridging financing.

“At present, MAIM is compelled to develop these lands through cash wakaf collections, which remain low and insufficient,” he said when replying to a question from Siti Faizah Abdul Azis (BN-Sungai Rambai).

Elaborating further, Rahmad said the third challenge involves the low awareness among industry players regarding the development of wakaf land.

bootstrap slideshow

He noted that integrating wakaf as part of everyday life remains far from being achieved because it is still predominantly viewed in a religious context rather than for its commercial value.

Wakaf development should be seen as the development of assets for the Muslim community, managed by MAIM as the sole trustee for Melaka, he said.

“The final challenge pertains to the management of wakaf itself. This is due to a lack of expertise in land management, insufficient staff for monitoring, management, enforcement, and development planning.

“In addition, there is limited access to external assistance, as wakaf matters are often perceived as solely related to religious affairs rather than commercial ventures,” he added.

-- BERNAMA