MELAKA: The spirit of giving prior to the Ramadan month starts early in the state with RM6.5mil of tithe (zakat) being distributed to 10,420 eligible recipients in stages.
Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh said the quantum of the financial assistance has also been increased to RM400 per household with an additional RM100 to be given to each hardcore poor to buy essential food items during the Holy Month.
"The increase in quantum is given to ease the current cost of living," he said after distributing the aid to 227 recipients at Tanjung Bidara here on Saturday (March 2).
Ab Rauf said the distribution to help the groups make early preparations to celebrate Ramadan would be given to 8,200 individuals from the poor category, 220 (hardcore poor) and 2,000 converts (mualaf).
He noted that the state managed to increase its tithe collections to RM128.3mil in 2023 which was an additional RM10mil compared to RM118.3mil in 2023.
Ab Rauf said the assistance distributed was strictly meant for the purchase of food items.
