KUALA LUMPUR – The Federal Territories Islamic Religious Council (MAIWP) has allocated a budget of RM1.674 billion for next year.
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na’im Mokhtar said that the amount represented a 4.43 per cent increase compared to RM1.603 billion allocated last year.
According to him, the budget, themed ‘Sustaining a Prosperous Community’, focuses on the distribution of zakat, with the largest allocation of RM1.34 billion.
"In line with the government's aim to eliminate extreme poverty, MAIWP focuses on two main areas in zakat distribution: strengthening the welfare of the asnaf (eligible recipients of zakat) and human capital development.
"RM1.1 billion is allocated for the empowerment of asnaf welfare and RM230 million is allocated for human capital development," he said.
He made these statements during the presentation of the MAIWP 2025 Budget at the Menara MAIWP here on Thursday.
He added that in the same year, MAIWP allocated RM246 million for operational expenses, covering operational activities and management.
"We are also allocating RM87 million for development purposes, including real estate, asset purchases and investments," he added.
As a result, he said, MAIWP estimates an income of RM1.5 billion for the coming year.
"This amount is expected to increase by 12 per cent compared to the estimated income of RM1.3 billion this year.
"MAIWP also targets zakat collection of RM1.2 billion, which will be collected by the Zakat Collection Center (PPZ)," he said.
Additionally, Na'im said that the budget, which received the approval of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Ibrahim, on Oct 10, sets seven main focuses, including the empowerment of asnaf, strengthening human capital through education and implementing digital transformation initiatives.
He added that the budget was based on policies set by the government through the Religious Affairs Transformation Plan Towards Malaysia Madani (Al-Falah) 2023-2027, with five main pillars.
"These five pillars are sustainable Islamic administration, human welfare, the dignity of Sharia, creative leadership, and the honour of Islamic institutions," he said.