KUALA LUMPUR: Muslim unitholders of Amanah Saham Nasional Bhd (ASNB) fixed-price funds can now opt for the "zakat al-mustaghallat” via "khultah” (collective) payment method.
In a statement today, ASNB said that through the khultah method, unitholders can receive net income distributions after a 2.57 per cent zakat deduction, calculated only on the distributed income, not on the investment principal.
It said that to enable ASNB to manage the zakat obligations of Muslim unitholders, effective May 25, 2026, all fixed-price funds have been restructured into a multi-class format comprising class A and class B.
It said all existing unitholders of fixed price funds are automatically placed under class A.
"There are no changes to their investment or the way income distributions are received, and unitholders will continue to receive full income distributions, without any zakat deduction.
"Class B is open to Muslim unitholders who wish to manage their zakat more conveniently, where income distributions are received after zakat deduction,” it said.
ASNB said unitholders who prefer to manage their zakat independently may choose to remain in class A, while opting for class B enables unitholders to benefit from a comprehensive zakat management approach while maintaining competitive net returns, thereby supporting long-term investment sustainability.c
"The zakat collected will be channelled to the respective state zakat agencies for distribution to eligible ‘asnaf’ (group), in accordance with the rulings of the relevant zakat authorities.
"The zakat rate is set at 2.57 per cent for all ASNB fixed-price funds, namely ASB, ASB 2, ASB 3 Didik, Amanah Saham Malaysia (ASM), ASM 2 Wawasan and ASM 3, in line with the Masihi (or Gregorian) calendar approach and international zakat accounting standards,” said ASNB.
Meanwhile, Permodalan Nasional Bhd acting president and group chief executive Datuk Rizal Rickman Ramli said the introduction of this new collective zakat al-mustaghallat payment method forms part of PNB’s ongoing commitment to strengthening the socio-economic well-being of Muslim unitholders.
"ASNB provides zakat payment options that enable unitholders to fulfil their obligations conveniently and systematically, in line with shariah requirements,” he said.
He also expressed appreciation to the relevant national and state religious authorities for their consideration of the zakat al-mustaghallat calculation method via khultah.
"This method supports a more systematic zakat distribution framework and helps unitholders achieve their long-term investment goals with competitive net returns,” he added. - Bernama
