Melaka Raises Monthly Food Aid For Asnaf, Muslim Converts To RM300 - Exco

MELAKA, June 30 (Bernama) -- The Melaka government will increase the monthly food assistance scheme for asnaf (those eligible to receive zakat or tithe) and Muslim converts from RM250 to RM300, effective tomorrow.

State Education, Higher Education and Religious Affairs Committee chairman Datuk Rahmad Mariman said that, however, the aid provided under the same scheme by the Melaka Islamic Religious Council (MAIM) for the hardcore poor recipients will remain at RM400 per month.

He said the monthly food assistance scheme is one of the key aid initiatives by MAIM, under which recipients receive food items using their identity cards at 74 designated MAIM food supplier panels across Melaka.

“As of June 24, a total of 7,810 individuals are receiving assistance under the scheme, also known as 'daruriyah' aid, comprising 112 from the hardcore poor category and 7,698 from the poor group.

“The decision to increase the rate of this assistance was made in response to the rising cost of essential goods, which has impacted the value of items provided to the asnaf. Moreover, this scheme had not seen a rate revision in recent years,” he said in a statement today.

He said several other assistance schemes have also seen rate increases, including a one-time primary school fee aid for asnaf children, which has been raised from RM70 to RM100.

“Cash assistance for Muslim converts has been increased from RM200 to RM300. New converts will now automatically receive RM300, up from RM200 previously,” he added.

Meanwhile, in another development, Rahmad said Melaka recorded zakat collection of RM141.37 million last year, while zakat distribution to asnaf registered under MAIM totalled RM151.22 million.

“For this year, the zakat allocation is projected at RM33.68 million, an increase of RM4.38 million or 15 per cent compared with last year’s allocation of RM29.3 million,” he said.

“MAIM remains committed to safeguarding the welfare of the asnaf community in Melaka and will continue to enhance the zakat distribution system from time to time.

He added that zakat contributors in the state are encouraged to continue placing their trust and support in MAIM, as this will help boost zakat collection and strengthen efforts to uplift the asnaf group in the state.

-- BERNAMA