Melaka’s Zakat Collection Hits RM112 Million As Of Nov 30

MELAKA, Dec 11 (Bernama) -- Melaka’s zakat collection has reached RM112 million as of Nov 30 and is on track to achieve this year’s target of RM152 million, says State Education, Higher Education and Religious Affairs Committee chairman Datuk Rahmad Mariman.

He said the state was optimistic of reaching the target, given the annual trend of increased zakat payments in December.

“Usually, payers will rush to fulfil their zakat obligations as Dec 31 approaches, because most contributors calculate their annual income at the end of the year. We often see a significant rise in collections during this period.

“Last year, collections surged sharply in the final week and exceeded the target, reaching RM113 million. We hope the same momentum continues and surpasses the target this time,” he told reporters after the business zakat handover ceremony in Ayer Keroh today.

The ceremony was officiated by the Yang Dipertua Negeri of Melaka, Tun Mohd Ali Rustam, and attended by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh and Zakat Melaka chief executive officer Datuk Mohamad Azmi Sabtu.

At the event, 23 corporate agencies handed over a total of RM7.49 million in business zakat.

Rahmad said the strong awareness among companies and individuals regarding their zakat obligation helped ensure that funds for the eight categories of asnaf could be distributed continuously and more comprehensively.

“We hope more companies and individuals will come forward to do the same as the year-end approaches,” he said.

As of Nov 30, income zakat remains the highest contributor with RM66.8 million, followed by business zakat (RM19.6 million) and zakat on savings (RM16.4 million).

“Also recorded were zakat on gold and silver amounting to RM1.9 million, zakat on shares (RM441,224), livestock zakat (RM50,550), and agricultural zakat (RM46,414), involving 48,648 contributors.

“As for zakat fitrah, collections this year amounted to RM6.6 million, with 683,982 payers,” he said.