By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, Oct 13: Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH) today handed over RM1,927,359.46 in business zakat for the financial year 2024 to the Sarawak Islamic Council (MIS) in a ceremony held at the Hikmah Exchange Event Centre (HEEC) here.
The handover was witnessed by Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, with the contribution presented by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Senator Dato Setia Dr Mohd Naim Mokhtar to MIS president Datuk Misnu Taha.
The zakat funds will be managed under Tabung Baitulmal Sarawak (TBS), which serves as the operational arm of MIS responsible for administering zakat and waqf development in the State.
Dr Naim said the business zakat contribution from TH would be distributed by MIS to eligible asnaf in Sarawak.
“We hope this contribution will benefit more asnaf in Sarawak,” he told reporters before the handover ceremony, adding that the total zakat payment from TH nationwide for 2024 amounted to RM99,210,079.72.
He also revealed that apart from the business zakat, TH had allocated RM1.2 million under its corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme for Sarawak. The CSR funds were drawn from TH’s wakalah zakat portion and channelled to assist the local Muslim community through various initiatives.
“From the RM1.2 million, part of it was given to Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) to support asnaf students, while another portion was used to help build houses for eight asnaf families in the State. The rest is distributed for community aid and other forms of assistance,” he added.
Also present at the ceremony were Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department (Project Coordinator for Regional Development Agencies, Kuching North City Commission and Islamic Affairs) Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi; Sarawak Mufti Datu Kipli Yassin; TBS general manager Datu Abang Mohd Shibli Abang Mohd Nailie; TH Group chief shariah officer Imran Mohammad Khayat; and TH Sarawak director Datuk Nurlaila Said.
The event was held in conjunction with the 14th World Zakat and Waqf Forum (WZWF) Annual Meeting and International Conference, which convened key Islamic leaders, scholars and institutions to discuss ways to enhance global zakat and waqf management. — DayakDaily
