KASA, YWM sign supplementary agreement for water endowment fund

PUTRAJAYA, June 16 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Environment and Water (KASA) and Yayasan Waqaf Malaysia (YWM) today signed a supplementary agreement to strengthen the implementation of the Malaysian Water Services Special Cash Waqf Fund or water endowment (waqf).

Present to witness the signing ceremony held at the ministry between KASA secretary-general Datuk Seri Ir Dr Zaini Ujang and YWM chief executive officer Prof Dr Amir Shaharuddin were its Minister Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man and deputy minister at the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Ahmad Marzuk Shaary.

Water endowment provides an alternative funding source through the waqf instrument launched on Dec 17, 2020, for small-scale water supply projects, not exceeding RM50,000.

In a press conference held in conjunction with the event, Tuan Ibrahim said RM4 million had been donated by various parties in support of the initiative and as of last month, RM981,000 had been distributed to fund 24 water supply projects nationwide.

“Alhamdulillah, a total of 8,152 houses and 13,882 individuals have benefited from this water waqf initiative. We have received over 70 new applications which are under review," he said, adding that more than 100 small-scale water supply projects are expected to be implemented this year.

Tuan Ibrahim said water endowment was the ministry’s additional initiative in helping to provide water supply in rural areas, adding water supply operators are still obligated to carry out their responsibilities in supplying water to the people.

“Don't get confused with this water waqf initiative, KASA is not abandoning its responsibilities, but it is an initiative outside the existing framework. Water supply operators will continue to carry out their existing duties,” he said.

At the event, YWM received a donation for the water waqf fund from Etiqa General Takaful Berhad totalling RM257,020.

-- BERNAMA