MELAKA, Sept 22 — The current collection of zakat (tithe) in Melaka increased by 24.36 per cent as of Aug 31, thus showing the positive commitment of payers, especially employers, in fulfilling the fourth pillar of Islam.
Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Sulaiman Md Ali said the current increase also showed that the continuous efforts of Zakat Melaka and zakat payers in giving their support and cooperation in fulfilling their zakat paying responsibilities.
“A total of RM77.20 million was collected throughout the period from 47,946 people compared to the RM62.08 million collected during the same period in 2021 from 44,873 people,” he told reporters after officiating the Public and Private Sector Employers Award (Zakat Salary Deduction Scheme) 2021 ceremony here last night.
Also present were Zakat Melaka chief executive officer Datuk Ibrahim Fadzil, Melaka State Secretary Datuk Zaidi Johari, state financial officer Datuk Salhah Salleh, Zakat Melaka deputy chairman Zahari Abd Jalil and Melaka Islamic Religious Council (MAIM) deputy chairman Datuk Md Rawi Mahmud.
Sulaiman added that the current zakat collection through salary deduction also showed a 26.86 per cent increase from RM22.91 million to RM29.07 million, involving 32,056 people.
Overall, the income tithe recorded the highest collection of RM42.22 million (38,540 payers); followed by savings tithe (RM16.34 million, 11,063 payers); while the business tithe collection recorded RM11.31 million compared to RM7.98 million, rising to 41.65 per cent involving 1,739 payers.
“Zakat fitrah collection for the period also rose to RM5.60 million involving 673,673 payers compared to RM5.04 million from 661,703 payers the previous year,” he said.
Throughout the period also, the MAIM Zakat Distribution division had channelled a total of RM97.8 million in zakat fund compared to RM80.2 million through various aid distribution schemes and programmes.
Earlier, a total of 19 agencies comprising employers from the public and private sectors received recognition and appreciation for their commitment in increasing zakat awareness among their employees.
Among the agencies were Telekom Malaysia Berhad, Kumpulan Melaka Berhad, Putra Specialist Hospital, Melaka Chief Minister Department, Melaka National Security Council and Alor Gajah District Hospital.
