Corporate Wakalah Funds Complement Gov't Efforts To Boost Inclusive Education – Zulkifli

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 19 (Bernama) — Contributions from the corporate sector through zakat wakalah funds play an important role in complementing the government’s efforts to strengthen inclusive education, particularly for students with disabilities (PwD), said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Dr Zulkifli Hasan.

He said corporate sector involvement in zakat wakalah schemes has long been practised in the country and has proven effective in helping to expand the reach of assistance to targeted groups.

“This contribution initiative not only complements the government’s efforts (to strengthen inclusive education), but also reinforces strategic cooperation between the public and private sectors in shaping a more inclusive future for education,” he said.

Zulkifli told this to reporters after the Sun Life Malaysia Takaful Sentuhan Kasih Programme at the Kuala Lumpur Federal Territory Education Department (JPWPKL) Auditorium here today.

At the event, a total of 500 students with special educational needs from 25 secondary schools around the Federal Territory received financial assistance of RM200 each, involving a total of RM100,000 through Sun Life Malaysia Takaful Bhd’s wakalah fund.

Also present were Federal Territory Islamic Religious Council (MAIWP) chairman Datuk Syed Kamarulzaman Syed Kabeer, PPZ-MAIWP chairman Datuk Sri Amrin Awaluddin, MAIWP chief executive officer Datuk Mohd Nizam Yahya and Sun Life Malaysia Takaful Berhad chief executive officer Noor Azam Mohd Yusof.

Earlier, in his speech, Zulkifli said the assistance reflected the role of the corporate sector in ensuring that the welfare of students with disabilities continues to be safeguarded.

“Through the MADANI Budget 2026 tabled last year, the government allocated RM1.4 billion specifically to strengthen the welfare of persons with disabilities. The government has also pledged to continue safeguarding the welfare and education of special needs children by allocating hundreds of millions of ringgit as monthly allowances for each student with disabilities.

“All these measures aim to support learning needs, special interventions and their welfare, while demonstrating the government’s continued commitment to strengthening their education towards a better future,” he said.

Meanwhile, 26 secondary school surau around the Federal Territory, including one belonging to JPWPKL, also received RM80,000 in contributions through the MAIWP wakalah fund at the event to enhance worship comfort at the surau.

-- BERNAMA