Royal visit: Sultan Sharafuddin (centre) and Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin (right) accompanied by Selangor Zakat Board (LZS) chairman Tan Sri Syed Anwar Tuanku Syed Putra Jamalullail (left) and Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari (second left) during the opening of Menara Zakat Sultan Idris Shah in Shah Alam. — IZZRAFIQ ALIAS/The Star
SHAH ALAM: Stern action including legal proceedings should be taken against those found to misappropriate funds or failing in their duties in zakat collection, says Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah.
The Selangor Ruler said the Selangor Zakat Board has an enormous responsibility in upholding the trust of Muslims in the state.
“All levels of zakat collection, including amil (zakat collectors), should always be honest, trustworthy and maintain integrity while ensuring that no abuse of power occurs, as betraying this trust is a grave sin.
“I place great importance on the honesty and integrity of all staff and decree that strict action should be taken against those found to misappropriate funds and being errant in their duties, including bringing them to court for legal action,” said Sultan Sharafuddin when officiating the opening of Menara Zakat Sultan Idris Shah here yesterday.
Also present was Tengku Permaisuri of Selangor Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin.
Menara Zakat Sultan Idris Shah features a drive-through counter for zakat collection and distribution, offering a convenience to asnaf (those eligible for zakat) and muzzaki (zakat payers).Self-service kiosks have also been introduced.
Sultan Sharafuddin said he had witnessed remarkable innovations and improvements in zakat management, particularly in the collection and distribution of zakat as well as the empowerment of the asnaf.
“What makes me proud is that the management of zakat in Selangor has become a model for many countries such as Indonesia and Thailand.
“They are drawn to the innovations in zakat in Selangor, which have brought significant benefits to the Muslim community.”
But amid the rapid transformation and innovation, Sultan Sharafuddin reminded the zakat board not to become complacent.
Sultan Sharafuddin spoke of the need to have continuous improvement by adopting a corporate form of management that emphasises efficiency, credibility and forward-thinking, while adhering to syariah principles.
The zakat board, Sultan Sharafuddin said, must always focus on finding the best ways to assist the asnaf.
“To identify these asnaf, I suggest utilising the services of village heads, penghulu (sub- district chiefs) as well as district religious officers to channel the relevant information to identify these groups.”
Likewise, the Ruler said the urban poor should not be forgotten.
The Sultan of Selangor also reminded the public that zakat should be paid based on income and where the individual is earning a livelihood.
Sultan Sharafuddin said the Selangor Fatwa Committee had issued a fatwa, which was gazetted on May 9, 2002, stating that “all Muslims residing or working in Selangor must pay zakat on their income to the Selangor Zakat”.
“If the zakat collected in Selangor is distributed to other states or places, I fear that the majority Malay Muslim population in Selangor, along with over 79,000 poor asnaf families registered with the Selangor Zakat Board, would be deprived of their rights and unjustly overlooked without us realising it.”
As to rehabilitating groups that had been involved in deviant teachings, the Sultan of Selangor said zakat may be allocated to them under the category of Ar-Riqab (those in need of liberation).
