ZPP collects over RM147 mln in 2021

BUTTERWORTH, Feb 10  -- Zakat Pulau Pinang (ZPP) has collected zakat (tithe) worth RM147,247,345.90 in 2021, an increase of 17.54 per cent from RM130 million in the previous year.

Penang State Islamic Religious Council (MAINPP) president and ZPP chairman Datuk Ahmad Zakiyuddin Abdul Rahman said the amount comprised the collection for property tithe and zakat fitrah (personal tithe).

He said a total of RM141,219,358.71 was collected for property tithe in 2021 compared to RM125,297,037.26 in 2020, while for zakat fitrah, RM6,027,987.19 was collected last year compared to RM5,580,586.81 in the previous year.

“The increase in tithe collection is supported by the increase in the number of property tithe payers as well as aggressive campaigning activities despite facing limitations under the National Recovery Plan phases due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” he told a press conference here today.

Through the Sakinah Scheme, which is a monthly salary deduction plan, a total of RM60,627,842.67 was collected last year, an increase from RM58,245,885.91 in 2020.

Apart from that, Ahmad Zakiyuddin said ZPP collected RM3,252,976.33 in property tithe through its official portal at www.zakatpenang2u.com last year, compared to RM88,932.69 in 2020.

“The social media campaign and the zakatpenang2u.com portal made a lot of difference, especially in 2021 when we launched the cashless tithe payment initiative which recorded a total collection of RM123,809,076.62,” he said.

According to Ahmad Zakiyuddin, ZPP aimed to collect RM161.5 million in tithe this year.

He also said ZPP had successfully distributed RM141,551,752.06 to tithe recipients last year and 5,239 recipients also received COVID-19 special assistance amounting to RM2,960,170.

-- BERNAMA