MAIWP Targets RM1.341 Billion Zakat Disbursement In 2025
PUTRAJAYA, Jan 22 (Bernama) -- The Federal Territories Islamic Religious Council (MAIWP) has set a target of RM1.341 billion for zakat distribution in 2025, with a primary focus on empowering asnaf (eligible recipients) and enhancing human capital through education.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs), Datuk Dr Mohd Na’im Mokhtar said this target reflects a 15 per cent increase from the RM1.156 billion allocated to eight asnaf groups in 2024.
The RM1.341 billion allocation for zakat distribution will focus on two main areas: Empowerment and Well-being of Asnaf, which will receive RM1.110 billion, and Empowerment of Human Capital Through Education, with an allocation of RM230.63 million,” he said during a press conference outlining the zakat collection and distribution performance for the Federal Territories in 2024.
In addition, MAIWP has allocated RM407.37 million for the Welfare Assistance Cluster and RM50.28 million for the Housing Assistance Cluster.
Mohd Na’im further detailed the allocations for various clusters: RM187.34 million for the Education Cluster, RM191.74 million for the Community Development Assistance Cluster, RM63.64 million for the Economic and Asnaf Assistance Cluster, and RM65.31 million for the Medical Assistance Cluster. These allocations aim to ensure that the needs of every asnaf group are met.
An additional RM197 million has been allocated for the Wakalah distribution, and RM177.99 million for Amil distribution, strengthening the management and delivery of zakat funds.
“God willing, these efforts will continue to bring blessings and benefits to the community in the Federal Territories,” he said.
For 2025, MAIWP Zakat Collection Centre (PPZ) targets a total zakat and waqaf collection of RM1.216 billion, with 1.897 million payers. Additionally, MAIWP aims for a 5 per cent increase in the number of recipients, bringing the total number of recipients to 284,683, including 34,651 household heads.
Mohd Na’im added that several factors contributed to the increase in distribution and recipients. The rise in zakat collections in 2024 allows for greater assistance to asnaf, and improvements in the distribution process have made it more effective.
The rising cost of living, especially in the Federal Territories, has also led to an increase in the number of zakat recipients.
The total collection of zakat on wealth and fitrah in the Federal Territories for the year 2024 amounted to RM1.133 billion, representing a 10 per cent increase compared to RM1.031 billion in 2023.
The number of zakat payers also rose by two per cent, from 1,864,703 people in 2023 to 1,835,902 people in 2024.
Meanwhile, Mohd Na’im stressed the importance of integrity in managing zakat funds. He urged all parties involved in the approval and distribution of zakat to recognise that zakat funds are a great trust.
"If there is any thought of manipulation or misuse, we will not be safe. Even a single sen of zakat money that enters our pocket brings disaster," he said.
"We must be mindful of our own actions, as well as the impact on our spouses and children. Misusing zakat funds could bring misfortune to them as well," he added.
“The rightful owners of these zakat funds are the people who belong to the eight categories that have been mentioned and 100 per cent must reach these recipients," he said.
The eight categories include various asnaf groups supported through initiatives such as Zakat Assistance Schemes, Al-Wakalah, Educational and Welfare Institutions, Islamic Infrastructure, Infrastructure Maintenance Expenditure, and Amil in the Federal Territories.
Mohd Na’im also commended the creative efforts of PPZ-MAIWP in increasing zakat collections, including the introduction of new channels such as crypto investments and online platforms.
“We hope that these new channels will further boost zakat collections in 2025, God willing,” he said.
Also present at the event were MAIWP chairman, Syed Kamarulzaman Syed Kabeer, and PPZ-MAIWP chairman, Datuk Seri Amrin Awaluddin.
-- BERNAMA
