Misappropriating zakat a major betrayal of trust, says Religious Affair Minister

January 6, 2024

Misappropriating zakat a major betrayal of trust, says Religious Affair Minister

PETALING JAYA: Do not break the trust of those who are paying their zakat (tithes) for such crimes are unforgivable, Datuk Dr Mohd Na’im Mokhtar warns zakat collectors.

The Religious Affair Minister said it was sad to know that there were companies appointed to collect zakat which had allegedly misappropriated the zakat paid dutifully by Muslims.

Mohd Na’im was commenting on Friday (Jan 5) on the case of a company which was being investigated by the police for misappropriating nearly RM10mil in tithes collected.

“I have been informed of the allegations against that company which was appointed as an agent to collect zakat.

“We will wait for the investigations to be completed by the police and we place our full trust in the authorities.

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“It is sad that there are among us who are willing to abuse the trust given to them. “Misappropriating zakat is a betrayal of the trust placed by those who are performing their religious obligation and such a crime is not acceptable as those paying their zakats give them to these agents hoping that the tithes go to the right people,” said Mohd Na’im.

He further stated that the ministry has always monitored and will always keep a strict eye on the agents they have appointed as such cases of zakat misappropriation will blemish all the hard work of the government.

Zakat administration in Malaysia is placed under the power of the Majlis Agama Islam Negeri (MAIN) or state religious councils. However, in several states, the administration of zakat has been privatised and special zakat institutions have been established.

Starting with the establishment of the Zakat Collection Centre of the Federal Territory (PPZ) in 1991, several other institutions were subsequently formed including the Selangor Zakat Board (LZS), previously known as the Selangor Zakat Centre (PZS), the Penang Zakat Management Centre (PUZ), the Pahang Zakat Collection Centre (PKZ), the Negeri Sembilan Zakat Centre (PZNS) and the Melaka Zakat Centre (PZM).

On Jan 4, Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) director Comm Datuk Seri Ramli Mohamed Yoosuf said the company which was appointed to collect tithes is suspected to have failed to deposit the tithes between March and September last year.