COVID-19: Muhyiddin hopes for proactive measures by zakat centres to help needy

PUTRAJAYA, March 25 -- Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin today expressed hope that zakat (tithe) collection centres in every state will take proactive measures to assist the asnaf (tithe recipients) who are facing difficulties at a time when efforts are being undertaken by the government to curb the COVID-19 pandemic. 

He said this includes helping those whose source of income had been badly affected by the economic effects of the ongoing situation, even if they are not categorised under the asnaf group. 

“Provide them with assistance. They may not have been listed as asnaf before this, but in this badly affected economic situation, they have become part of the asnaf group eligible for zakat assistance,” he said in his special address carried live on television networks and social media today.

The prime minister said during the Cabinet meeting today, he directed Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Seri Dr Zulkifli Mohamad Al-Bakri to mobilise the Federal Territories Zakat Collection Centre to identify those from the asnaf group eligible for immediate zakat assistance. 

At the same time, he urged charity-based organisations to also contribute to the needy. 

“I call upon all charity organisations in this country to rise to the occasion by helping the needy regardless of race and religion during this trying moment.

"The difficulties they are facing are unprecedented. And I believe all of you can do something meaningful to ease their burden," the prime minister said. 

In the same address, Muhyiddin also announced that the Movement Control Order (MCO) period will be extended to April 14. 

He said the extension of the MCO period was announced early to enable the people to be prepared.

-- BERNAMA