BUKIT MERTAJAM, Oct 2 (Bernama) -- The Zakat Penang Islamic Religious Council (MAINPP) has recorded RM122 million in zakat (tithe) collections as of September, announced its chairman, Datuk Dr Mohamad Abdul Hamid.
Mohamad, who is also Deputy Chief Minister I, said the collection included RM19 million in business tithes paid by 429 companies, showing an increase compared to the same period last year.
"Despite this positive increase, MAINPP believes that zakat collection can be further enhanced if more companies come forward to fulfil their obligations.
"We are also targeting a collection of RM200 million this year and RM240 million by 2026. I urge individuals and companies to continue making their zakat payments within the state, in accordance with the irshad fatwa from the Penang State Fatwa Committee.
“The fatwa states it is haram to take zakat payments out of the state where one earns their livelihood, as long as there are asnaf (underprivileged) within our state," he told reporters after the Penang Water Supply Corporation (PWSC) business tithe handover ceremony.
PWSC chief executive officer Datuk K Pathmanathan presented RM100,000 in business tithes to Zakat MAINPP.
Mohamad, who serves as Zakat MAINPP chairman, reported that RM199.8 million in zakat funds had been distributed to the asnaf as of September, in the form of financial aid, educational support, economic development programmes, and welfare projects.
“Today’s business zakat fulfilment by PWSC clearly demonstrates how the zakat institution can act as a catalyst for community development, extending beyond welfare to include economic and educational initiatives,” he said.
Meanwhile, Pathmanathan explained that PWSC’s decision was directly encouraged by Mohamad, who highlighted the obligation, considering its status as a state government-linked company.
He noted that Muslims constitute 1,233 employees, or 80.3 percent of PWSC's workforce, as of Aug 31.
He said the payment marks a historic milestone, as it is the company's first zakat fulfilment since its corporatisation in 1999.
-- BERNAMA
