MAIWP prepared to raise 'Zero Hunger' aid to asnaf

KUALA LUMPUR, June 23 (Bernama) -- The Federal Territories Islamic Religious Council (MAIWP) is prepared to increase the amount of 'MAIWP Kasih Asnaf - Zero Hunger' assistance to members of the asnaf group in Federal Territories in a move to lighten their burden.

Its chairman Tan Sri Mohd Daud Bakar said at present the essential goods assistance programme which is worth RM150 a month, focuses on providing urgent essential items to ease the pressure of inflation on vulnerable households.

“If there is a pressing need, we (MAIWP) are prepared to review the assistance and increase the amount of aid to a higher level to ensure there is food for them, " he said.

He said this at a press conference after the launch of the MAIWP Strategic Plan 2021-2025 and Asnaf Financial Benefits at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC), here today.

Earlier, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah launched the event virtually through a speech recording which was also attended by the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Senator Datuk Idris Ahmad.

Mohd Daud said MAIWP had also prepared a policy or stock supply for a period of six months as preparation to help the asnaf group in case of a disaster that might cause the quality of life of the group to deteriorate.

Commenting on the MAIWP Strategic Plan (PSM) 2021-2025 and Asnaf's Financial Benefits, Mohd Daud said the plan was designed to strengthen efforts to preserve the delivery system and management of zakat funds to the needy.

He said the plan, themed 'Empowering & Enterprising' is based on six main core strategies based on four important documents namely, Asnaf Development blueprint, Education, Property Development and Digitalisation.

Some of the initiatives include strategic cooperation with the  National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) through Simpan SSPN Prime and Permodalan Nasional Berhad (PNB)  and through Amanah Saham Bumiputera investment fund.

"Under Simpan SSPN Prime, the assistance of RM5,000 per person on a one-off basis is given to 1,000 asnaf children a year (2022-2026) with a total allocation of RM25 million and at the same time, PTPTN will channel a total fund of RM750,000.

"When the recipient of this scheme is 18 years old, a fund of RM20,000 will be received from the total deposit and annual dividend," he said.

Meanwhile, through the investment fund, a total of 1,000 asnaf will receive a contribution of RM4,000 and will receive the benefits of the projected returns and dividends for a maturity period of five years.

-- BERNAMA