McDonald’s Malaysia Pays RM2 Million Zakat, To Be Distributed To 14 States

PUTRAJAYA, Aug 19 (Bernama) -- McDonald’s Malaysia today announced a corporate zakat (tithe) payment of RM2 million for this year, to be distributed across 14 states, nationwide.

Its managing director and local operating partner, Datuk Azmir Jaafar, said that the company would be visiting each state to present the zakat to the respective state zakat centres, with ceremonies to be held at selected McDonald’s restaurants.

“McDonald’s Malaysia is very grateful to be able to fulfil this zakat obligation, which is one of the pillars of Islam.

“What is special this year is that, beyond meeting the obligatory requirement, we are also sharing this gratitude with the community by helping those in need, while appreciating the continuous support of our customers,” he said.

Azmir added that, since 2017, McDonald’s Malaysia, a fully Muslim-owned company, has paid a total of RM14 million in zakat.

Azmir said that Putrajaya was the fourth location for McDonald’s Malaysia’s zakat presentation ceremony, after Perak, Terengganu and Selangor.

At the event, McDonald’s Malaysia presented RM300,000 to the Zakat Collection Centre of the Federal Territories Islamic Religious Council (PPZ-MAIWP), represented by its chief executive officer, Datuk Abdul Hakim Amir Osman; with Federal Territories mufti, Ahmad Fauwaz Fadzil, in attendance.

Abdul Hakim expressed appreciation to McDonald’s Malaysia for consistently fulfilling its corporate zakat obligation, describing the contribution as vital, in extending assistance to more asnaf recipients.

“We hope to expand long-term cooperation with McDonald’s Malaysia, to support asnaf communities more effectively in the future,” he said.

In 2019, McDonald’s Malaysia became the first company to receive the Corporate Zakat Contribution Certificate from PPZ-MAIWP, an acknowledgment of businesses contributing corporate zakat in the Federal Territories.

The certificate complements the Halal certification granted by the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM), which McDonald’s Malaysia already holds.

At the same event, McDonald’s Malaysia also distributed 100 Kotak Rezeki containing daily essentials to underprivileged families, as direct assistance to ease their burden.

In collaboration with PPZ-MAIWP, the company also conducted a door-to-door programme to deliver Kotak Rezeki to needy households around Putrajaya.

Azmir said that, in line with its commitment to being a caring neighbour to communities around its outlets, McDonald’s Malaysia carries out more than 10,000 welfare activities annually through the Komuniti@McDonald’s programme, involving all of its over 370 restaurants nationwide.

“As a caring company, McDonald’s Malaysia has carried out various community initiatives since 2017.

Among them are celebrating the birthdays of orphans, contributing moreh (late night meal or supper during Ramadan month) to mosques and suraus, supporting senior citizens at care centres during festive seasons, and much more. We are always looking for opportunities to reach out and support communities from all walks of life,” he said.

-- BERNAMA