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ISKANDAR PUTERI: The Johor Islamic Religious Department (JAINJ) has confiscated a total of 5,087 unapproved donation boxes statewide from 2023 to this year, involving more than RM192,958.
Johor Islamic religious affairs committee chairman Mohd Fared Mohd Khalid said all of the seized donation money has been channelled to Baitulmal as required under state Islamic law.
He added that the growing number of unauthorised donation boxes and unlicensed charity collections has prompted JAINJ to tighten enforcement, especially at shops, restaurants and public premises.
"Only donation or khairat collections approved in writing by the Johor Islamic Religious Council (MAINJ) are permitted under Section 106 of the Johor Islamic Religious Administration Enactment 2003.
"This is to ensure that all contributions from Muslims are handled transparently, responsibly and in accordance with syariah and state regulations," he told the state assembly on Friday (Nov 21).
Datuk Mohd Fuad Tukirin (BN-Bukit Naning) had asked about the steps taken to stop unlicensed donation boxes from being placed at restaurants and shops.
Fared added that JAINJ views the issue seriously given the widespread placement of such unauthorised boxes.
"To address the problem, JAINJ has implemented several regulatory and control measures, including requiring all individuals, organisations, or institutions wishing to conduct collections to apply for approval through the Charity Collection Application Guidelines 2020.
"Each application is scrutinised to ensure the purpose of the collection is legitimate, syariah-compliant and in line with the law," he said.
Fared added that for transparency, approved collectors must follow strict conditions.
These include using funds solely for the approved purpose, collecting donations only during permitted dates and at authorised locations, and ensuring that all forms, receipts and boxes are stamped and sealed by MAINJ.
He said applicants are also required to maintain detailed financial records of all collections and expenditures.
"If the amount collected exceeds the specified target, the approval becomes void and the excess funds must be channelled to Baitulmal," he said, adding that MAINJ or JAINJ may audit financial records at any time.
On enforcement, Mohd Fared said JAINJ officers conduct regular inspections at business premises and public spaces, and immediately seize any unapproved donation boxes.
He said that under Section 106(5) of the enactment, offenders can face fines of up to RM3,000, imprisonment for up to two years, or both.
"From January to September this year alone, 1,984 donation boxes containing RM91,378.75 were seized... linked to mosques, surau, religious schools, associations and foreign groups.
"Investigations show that many of the unapproved collections originate from outside Johor or even overseas, particularly Thailand and India, with boxes often placed at restaurants and mini markets or carried during door-to-door and in the streets at night markets, farmers’ markets and bank entrances," he added.
Fared said five individuals have been arrested so far this year for conducting unauthorised collections, including repeat offenders.
Court action against them involved fines, jail and mandatory counselling, he added.
He said JAINJ would also step up public education campaigns through Friday sermons, talks, social media and outreach programmes with Muslim NGOs to encourage the public to donate only through authorised channels.
"We want to make sure contributions reach the rightful beneficiaries and that Muslims are not misled by fraudulent collections," he said.
