MELAKA: A total of RM2.417 million in fidyah (religious donations) were collected in Melaka as of last month and the amount surpassed the state government's initial target of RM2.4 million, the state legislative assembly was told today (Nov 29).
State Education, Higher Education and Islamic Affairs Committee chairman Datuk Rahmad Mariman said that of the amount, RM1.77 million was distributed through various programmes.
"It is distributed directly to the poor and the hardcore poor during Ramadan as well as through the emergency food aid kits which are channelled through the offices of the Development and Coordination Committee of the State Legislative Assembly (Japerun) and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs).
"In addition, the fidyah is also channelled through the disaster aid from time to time," he said when replying to a question from Tuminah Kadi @ Mohd Hashim (BN-Pantai Kundor).
Meanwhile, Rahmad said Melaka had collected a total of RM104,945,947.88 in tithes this year up to October 13.
He said of the total, RM60,068,878 was channelled to help 8,414 individuals comprising 158 hardcore poor, 8,000 poor people and 256 Muslim converts through 25 aid schemes carried out by the Melaka Islamic Religious Council (MAIM). --BERNAMA