KUALA LUMPUR: The Federal Territories Islamic Religious Council (MAIWP) will continue implementing a data clean-up process to ensure the monthly zakat assistance is channelled solely to eligible individuals.
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Mohd Na'im Mokhtar said some individuals had been excluded from the asnaf category but continued to receive aid without notifying the relevant authorities.
"For MAIWP, this clean-up process is an ongoing effort. However, during the recent Cabinet Retreat, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim instructed that all zakat institutions implement this process.
"In line with this directive, MAIWP will expedite the current data clean-up process to ensure assistance is directed to those who are truly eligible," he told reporters after the Ziarah Asnaf Programme Series 1/2024 and the Handover of Ambulance Donations to the Malaysian Red Crescent Kuala Lumpur here today.
Meanwhile, in a bid to enhance the well-being of the asnaf community, particularly those residing in urban areas, MAIWP is set to raise the monthly assistance rate, with the announcement scheduled for June.
"MAIWP has conducted a thorough review of the zakat rates, and we have already implemented an increase. However, the new rates will be announced in June," he said.
Regarding the Ziarah Asnaf programme, Mohd Na'im said that it would be held on a monthly basis, providing him with the opportunity to interact with the asnaf community and ensure their welfare and needs were adequately addressed.
Today, he visited three asnaf individuals at the Seri Selangor Public Housing, namely Mohamad Fazlim Sha'ri, Jamsiah Mohd Said, and Mohamad Fadli Dahalim.
Mohd Na'im also said that MAIWP had allocated RM620,000 to Pertubuhan Kumpulan Sokongan Komuniti Sejahtera (K2S) through its Physiotherapy Centre Establishment Aid. This initiative aims to facilitate asnaf and B40 groups in receiving free physiotherapy treatment, particularly for those who have undergone surgery or been involved in accidents. – BERNAMA