LZS REGISTERED OVER RM1 BLN IN ZAKAT DISTRIBUTION, TO LEAD CHANGE IN INDUSTRY

SHAH ALAM, May 14 (Bernama) -- Lembaga Zakat Selangor (LZS) is committed to leading change in the national tithe industry as it emerged as the first zakat institution to record a distribution performance totalling RM1.05 billion, the highest since its establishment in 1994.

Its chief executive officer, Mohd Sabirin Mohd Sarbini, said the historic achievement of the year ending Dec 31, 2022, resulted from the hard work and professionalism of all relevant parties, including the agency’s strategic partners, in collection and distribution service operations.

“This year marks the 30th anniversary of LSZ’s operation. ..it has not been an easy journey due to multiple challenges and obstacles, including negative perceptions from the public regarding zakat fund management.

“But it is not a hindrance for us to continue to be committed every year in implementing LSZ’s agenda to provide the best services to Muslims in the state and to support asnaf (tithe recipients) in Selangor,” he said in his speech at the Gemerlapan Rakan Strategik Zakat Selangor (GRASIAZ) 2024 event, an appreciation ceremony for LSZ’s strategic partners here today.

LSZ chairman Tan Sri Syed Anwar Jamalullail was also in attendance.

Mohd Sabirin said professional administration allowed LZS to raise zakat collection from RM15.9 million in 1994 to RM1.07 billion in 2022, an annual increase of 17.7 per cent.

He said the board’s success and ability to manage zakat funds over three decades were supported by the trust of all zakat payers, including its strategic partners among its agents as well as employers, who helped facilitate collection and distribution services.

“LZS is no longer only providing various channels for the ease of zakat payment and distribution. We are now using multiple approaches so that everyone can fully understand the zakat obligation.

“With zakat now seen as an agenda for the ummah, LZS is highly committed to leading change in the zakat industry in Malaysia, especially in Selangor, by providing the best services to Muslims,” he said.

According to Mohd Sabirin, as of December last year, the Petaling district registered the highest number of hardcore poor and poor families in Selangor at 12,095, followed by Klang (11,477) and Kuala Langat (9,671).

He said besides distributing zakat to them, the board and other relevant agencies strive to lift them out of poverty by empowering the young with education and skills.

“These three districts are recorded as having the highest number of urban poor in Selangor and LSZ is putting an end to urban poverty (together with other parties) by providing the second generation with access to education and skills as well as to other suitable platforms,” he added.

Earlier, LZS received business zakat payments from Bank Kerjasama Rakyat Malaysia (Bank Rakyat) totalling RM2,703,226.00, Ekuiti Nasional Berhad and Medidata Sdn Bhd, amounting to RM750,000.00 and RM282,374.75 respectively.

-- BERNAMA