KUALA TERENGGANU: Thirteen Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA) students from its Gong Badak campus received a total of RM12,500 in 'zakat wakalah' from Golden Pharos Bhd (GPB).
The company's chief executive officer Mohd Roslan Mamat said it received a list of 20 student names from UniSZA, particularly from the Faculty of Business and Management, for the distribution of the zakat funds.
He said explained that GPB received 2/8 of the 'wakalah zakat' from the Terengganu Islamic Affairs and Malay Customs Council (MAIDAM) after paying RM50,000 in income zakat for 2023.
"Only 13 students were deemed eligible to receive this 'wakalah zakat' after attending interview sessions to ensure they met the criteria set by MAIDAM.
"All 13 students are representatives of their guardians (parents). It is hoped the zakat will alleviate the families' financial burden especially in ushering the upcoming Aidilfitri celebration," he said during the 'zakat wakalah' distribution programme here today.
Also present were UniSZA Faculty of Business and Management deputy dean of student affairs and alumni Dr Mazlina Abu Bakar, and UniSZA Student Affairs and Alumni administrative officer Mohd Zulfa Awang.
In addition to GPB, Roslan said its subsidiaries have also applied to MAIDAM for the zakat wakalah to be distributed in their respective programmes.
He said GPB, which is a subsidiary under the Terengganu Inc group, is involved in forest-related activities.