Kota Kinabalu: A total of RM170 million in zakat was distributed by the Majlis Ugama Islam Sabah (MUIS) to assist the asnaf (eligible recipients) throughout the State last year.
Sabah Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Dr Mohd Arifin Mohd Arif said the distribution covered financial assistance, welfare aid and development programmes aimed at easing the burden of recipients while ensuring the welfare of the asnaf community continues to be safeguarded.
He said zakat contributions from the corporate sector are crucial in strengthening the zakat fund, which will then be channelled to eligible asnaf across Sabah.
“In this regard, I encourage more companies, including Government-linked companies (GLCs) and business entities, to fulfil their responsibility by channelling their business zakat through MUIS,” he said after attending the MUIS Iftar event, here, on Friday.
At the event, MUIS received more than RM1.3 million in zakat payments from ten corporate contributors, including Angkatan Koperasi Kebangsaan Malaysia Berhad (ANGKASA), TM Technology Services Sdn Bhd, Bank Simpanan Nasional (BSN), Bank Pertanian Malaysia Berhad and Perbadanan Tabung Pendidikan Tinggi Nasional (PTPTN).
Meanwhile, Arifin said MUIS will intensify efforts to build houses for asnaf families as part of initiatives to strengthen welfare support for Muslims in need in Sabah.
However, he stressed that all applicants will undergo an assessment and verification process by MUIS to ensure assistance is channelled to individuals or families who truly qualify and require support.
Houses built under the programme will be known as Baitul Asnaf, special homes provided for eligible asnaf recipients.
“The Baitul Asnaf housing initiative has been implemented previously, with several houses successfully completed to help underprivileged families own more comfortable homes,” he said.
Also present were Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister Isnin Aliasnih, MUIS President Yahya Hussin and Chairman of the Perbadanan Baitulmal Negeri Sabah (PBNS), Omar Raisul As-Salam Syah Sulaiman Omar.
Meanwhile, more than RM40 million in zakat funds are distributed every year to strengthen education for the asnaf community in Sabah.
He said the funds are used to assist students from underprivileged families to further their studies through various forms of educational assistance.
“The assistance is for students who will pursue their studies both locally and abroad, particularly in the field of religious studies.
“Every year we allocate more than RM40 million for funds to empower the education of asnaf.
“This assistance includes scholarships to help our children continue their studies in various fields,” he said.
He said the assistance is among the main focuses of zakat distribution, as education is seen as the best pathway to help underprivileged groups break the cycle of poverty.
“Some recipients also pursue studies overseas, particularly in religious studies and other fields that benefit community development,” he added.
Ariffin said the total zakat collection in 2025 has reached about RM134 million, nearly the same as the amount recorded in the previous year.
He said the collection comprises zakat from various sources including business zakat, salary zakat, as well as contributions from government-linked companies (GLCs) and private companies.
“More than 50pc of the zakat collection comes from education-related zakat, while the rest comes from business zakat and other sources,” he said.
He also expressed appreciation to corporate companies, including GLCs, that fulfil their responsibility in paying business zakat.
Ariffin stressed that contributions from these companies play an important role in ensuring zakat funds can continue to be distributed to the asnaf, particularly in supporting efforts to strengthen education in the state.
