Sultan Nazrin Launches ZAPAR To Manage Tithe, Cash Endowment Collection In Perak

IPOH, June 26  (Bernama) -- The Sultan of Perak, Sultan Nazrin Shah, today consented to Zakat Perak Al Ridzuan (ZAPAR) being the official entity to manage zakat and cash endowment collection in the state.

His Royal Highness described the establishment of ZAPAR by the Perak Islamic Religious and Malay Customs Council (MAIPk) as a strategic initiative to improve the efficiency, transparency and accountability of the organisation.

According to His Royal Highness, it is a dynamic step that enables zakat collection services to be of higher quality and more responsive to customers and the people.

Sultan Nazrin said the establishment of ZAPAR will provide significant benefits to the asnaf and zakat payers through efficient and orderly governance and digital orientation in nurturing the role of Islamic institutions, in line with contemporary trends.

"Through the digital platform, zakat collection can now be done more easily and quickly. Technological advances also help speed up the distribution process in a more targeted manner, with more accurate and structured information collection.

"Now every transaction that occurs is easily tracked by payers and recipients, thus increasing the transparency and integrity of the institution," said Sultan Nazrin when launching ZAFAR here today.

Also present were Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad and MAIPk president  Tan Sri Mohd Annuar Zaini.

Sultan Nazrin said that with the trend of zakat collection and the increasing challenges of the task, it is timely to take a bold approach to pioneering strategic steps, including migration, developing a new organisational structure and work culture.

His Royal Highness also shared the success of MAIPk, established on October 23, 1949, to manage matters related to Muslim property, especially zakat and waqf affairs in Perak.

MAIPk recorded zakat collection for all categories, including property and fitrah, amounting to RM26.3 million in 2004, he said.

Sultan Nazrin said the increasing zakat collection is influenced by six factors, including the awareness, understanding and appreciation of Muslims towards the commandments and laws that make zakat obligatory.

According to Sultan Nazrin, it is also a reflection of the increase in income of Muslims individually, as well as of their businesses and crops, the government's incentives to provide income tax rebates and business profit tax deductions to individuals and institutions that pay zakat.

It is also due to the introduction of wakalah, improved zakat management and the confidence of Muslims to pay zakat through MAIPk, added His Royal Highness.

-- BERNAMA