Kota Kinabalu: The Sabah Islamic Religious Council (Muis) has announced two Zakat Fitrah rates for Muslims in the State for the 1447 Hijrah year (2026) set at RM7.50 per person for those consuming imported white rice and RM15 for fragrant rice, marking the first time for Sabah to have higher rate.
Its Head Datuk Seri Yahya Hussin said the rates are based on the traditional measurement of one gantang Baghdad, equivalent to 2.7 kg of rice, which is the staple food consumed by the majority.
“The rates are in line with the types and prices of rice consumed by Muslims in the state,” he said, Tuesday.
Present were Sabah Mufti Datuk Bungsu @ Aziz Jaafar; Usia President Datuk Sapawi Ahmad; Muis Chief Executive Officer Datuk Ramlan Ag Ali and Sabah Islamic Religious Affairs Department (Jheains) Director Datuk Jumain Abd Ghani.
Yahya said paying Zakat Fitrah in Ramadan month is compulsory for every eligible Muslim to assist the asnaf, or eligible recipients, particularly the poor and needy, in preparation for Syawal.
Muis urged Muslims in Sabah to fulfil their obligation by paying their Zakat Fitrah through authorised channels to ensure systematic and effective distribution to those in need.
Yahya also announced that total zakat collection in 2025 amounted to RM133,950,479.85, comprising RM12,390,428.93 in Zakat Fitrah and RM121,560,050.92 in Zakat on wealth.
“The number of Zakat Fitrah payers last year stood at 1,651,815, an increase of 39,259 payers or 2.38 per cent compared with 1,612,514 the previous year.
“While a total of RM161,889,409.76 was distributed last year to 116,776 asnaf (eligible recipients), the highest distribution in the history of Mui’s Zakat and Fitrah Division in Sabah.
“The higher distribution compared with collections last year was due to funds from previous years that had not yet been distributed to recipients,” he said.
Muis has allocated RM21.6 million for Ramadan this year, comprising RM20 million for 55,000 asnaf from the poor, hardcore poor and new converts categories, and RM1.6 million for allowances for the 2,050 amil.
Muis is targeting RM160.2 million in zakat and fitrah collections this year, including RM13 million from zakat fitrah and RM147.2 million from zakat on wealth.
Yahya also urged all Muslims to also fulfil business, income and wealth zakat for the benefit of the Muslim community in Sabah.
Muis Chief Executive Officer Datuk Ramlan Ag Ali Ramlan said surveys on the quantity and retail prices of rice in Sabah were conducted at several major supermarkets across eight districts — Kota Kinabalu, Tawau, Sandakan, Lahad Datu, Kota Marudu, Beaufort, Keningau and Ranau.
It found that imported white rice is priced at around RM2.82 per kilogram, while fragrant rice averages about RM5.43 per kilogram.
“Muis has also appointed 2,050 amil (zakat collectors) who will collect and distribute zakat fitrah throughout Ramadan this year,” he said.
