SERDANG: A total of RM585 million in tithe (zakat) have been collected so far this year.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said the amount had increased from previous years due to the improved collection system by Baitulmal under the Federal Territories Islamic Religious Council (MAIWP).
"According to Baitulmal, in 2000, it had collected RM100 million in zakat, RM532 million in 2014 and the number has increased to RM585 million this year.
“This shows that the economy of Muslims have improved due to the government's effective policies. Yesterday the international body Fitch have reviewed its ratings on Malaysia's economic outlook from negative to positive."
He said the increase was also contributed by the efficient zakat collection system through various channels and better public awareness.
"Baitulmal is extending a RM500 Raya cash aid to the needy in Federal Territories (registered with it) this year on top of the monthly assistance.
"Apart from the aid, it is paramount that we provide education and job training assistance as I have discussed with the GLCs (government-linked companies) yesterday. I told them that we need to carry out the 1Malaysia Training Scheme to provide proper training and jobs for the youths.
“When they are successful, they will (in turn carry out their responsibility) to pay zakat," he said in his speech before presenting Raya aid from Baitulmal for the needy in an event here.
Najib later presented Raya aid totalling RM18.27 million by Baitulmal for the 53,880 people registered with the organisation, including the 9,510 Muslim converts (with cash aid of RM2.49 million).
During the event, he also launched the Baitulmal's Takaful Asnaf Plan for some 20,000 Baitulmal's aid recipients which covers benefits of RM5,000 for accidents, RM5,000 for death caused by accidents, and RM2,000 for death, for each holder.
Najib later launched Baitulmal's mobile counter which was aimed at facilitating assistance for the underprivileged Muslims who were not able to go to its office and branches.
Also present were Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom, Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) director-general Datuk Othman Mustapha and MAIWP chief executive officer Datuk Zainal Abidin Jaffar.