GEORGE TOWN: It is unacceptable for states to collect huge amounts of zakat yet there are still hardcore poor in the respective states, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said today.
As such, the prime minister said he wanted the zakat collection to be fully utilised and to put a knot on the hardcore poor.
"You can give me whatever theory or explanation but as long as there are still hardcore poor, that is unacceptable.
"When I took office more than a year ago, I had told the Federal Territories minister that whatever theory or explanation provided, as long as they are still hardcore poor in Kuala Lumpur, I want the zakat collection to be fully utilised. This is beside other efforts taken by the government.
"The main function of the zakat in the Islamic system cannot be defended if the very basic element of not helping the hardcore poor is not addressed," he said in his keynote address at the Penang International Zakat Conference 2024 held at Universiti Sains Malaysia here today.
Present were Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir, Penang Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Dr Mohamad Abd Hamid and Penang Mufti Datuk Seri Dr Wan Salim Wan Mohd Noor.
Anwar said the zakat institution should not be seen as any normal institution as it was not only linked to the country's revenue but also to addressing poverty.
"It is a vital institution in building the ummah's strength," he added.
Anwar said, as such, when people underestimated the issue of zakat, especially those linked to Islam, it was not acceptable.
"How can they do that? Zakat is upheld due to good governance.
No one should underestimate the issue of governance, especially when linked to Islam.
"Khalifah Umar Abdul Aziz can manage the economy of a vast Islamic region due to par excellence governance.
"We know these Muslim leaders due to their personality, values and morality who have no tolerance for using power and position to enrich themselves and their family members.
"I find it strange when people think that is unimportant," he said.
Anwar said no matter how affluent a country is, or the tens of billions of ringgit collected from zakat, it would not resolve the problem due to poor governance.
"That is why the zakat institution has to be managed well.
"Any money collected in the name of zakat needs to be accounted for," he said.
Anwar said from reports he had received from Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Melaka and Negri Sembilan, all four states had almost resolved their hardcore poor issue.
"I am waiting for Penang to submit its report, more so with a lower number of hardcore poor.
"I am giving the Penang Deputy Chief Minister 1 one week to submit the report," he said.
Anwar said besides eradicating hardcore poverty, he had also urged the management of zakat to take measures to strengthen the less fortunate group to ensure they were able to compete and seize the opportunity in the meritocracy system.