ZAPAR Care Tour Showcases Impact Of Zakat Distribution

TANJONG MALIM, Oct 29  (Bernama) – Eleven corporate companies and individual zakat payers took part in the ZAPAR Care Tour (ZACT 2.2) to witness first-hand how aid is distributed to asnaf (eligible zakat recipients) and understand the role of zakat and waqf in improving the well-being of the Muslim community in Perak.

Zakat Perak Al Ridzuan (ZAPAR) senior manager (Strategy and Digitalisation) Zulfadli Baharum said the programme, organised by ZAPAR in collaboration with the Perak Islamic Religious and Malay Customs Council (MAIPk), covered nine locations in the Tapah and Muallim districts.

He said the initiative gave zakat payers an opportunity to observe aid distribution and gain a better understanding of how zakat funds are managed.

“ZAPAR does not merely collect zakat; we also work with MAIPk to show how assistance reaches asnaf recipients,” he told Bernama during ZACT 2.2 2026 at Masjid Al Hidayah in Bandar Behrang 2020 here today.

Zulfadli said the programme involved nine aid recipients, including those receiving business capital and medical assistance, as well as visits to houses built by MAIPk for the needy.

He said the visits allowed zakat payers to better understand recipients’ needs and see how the assistance helped them sustain their livelihoods.

“Our aim is not merely to provide assistance for daily needs, but also to help asnaf and their children increase their income so they can eventually move out of the asnaf category,” he said.

Meanwhile, food and beverage entrepreneur Siti Rohani Dan, 49, expressed gratitude for receiving RM5,000 worth of business equipment to expand her coconut biscuit and local food business in Felda Sungai Behrang.

“The equipment, including an oven, a double-burner stove, a canopy, tables and chairs, means a lot to my husband and me as it will help us increase production and improve the quality of our daily sales.

“The assistance has eased our family’s financial burden and motivated me to further develop my coconut biscuit business, which is popular among local residents,” she said.

Another recipient, Ishak Abdullah, 62, who suffered a stroke in 2020, requires ongoing medical supplies, including specialised milk, adult diapers, urine drainage bags and a wheelchair.

His wife, Salina Mohd Idris, 60, said he could no longer swallow solid food and relied entirely on specialised formula milk to meet his nutritional needs.

“My husband has received medical aid worth nearly RM12,000 per disbursement on eight occasions since 2020, as well as RM400 monthly under the Monthly Financial Assistance Scheme since 2017.

“We are grateful to the village head and MAIPk Muallim for their continued financial and medical assistance,” she said.

Among the corporate participants were Perusahaan Otomobil Nasional Sdn Bhd (PROTON), Klinik Nilam, One World Marine Sdn Bhd, Pertubuhan Peladang Kawasan Slim River/Tanjong Malim, Medifa Care Group Sdn Bhd, Ameen Products Sdn Bhd, Harizsyah Success Resources, MSH Dia Care Sdn Bhd, Kedai Emas Hafshah and Koperasi Sumbangan Bakti Batang Padang Berhad.

-- BERNAMA