Malaysia: Religious council introduces online zakat payment system

IPOH: The state Islamic Religious and Malay Customs Council has introduced a system which enables zakat (tithe) payments to be done online.

The system, e-PZB, was launched by state secretary Datuk Seri Abdul Puhat Mat Nayan at Dewan Bankuet of the State Secretariat building here recently.

The council's chief executive officer Dr Amiruddin Muhamed said with the online system, there is no reason for the people to shy away from paying zakat.

"With the system, you just need to register with us and we will take care of the rest," he said.

Amiruddin said with the online system, one could even pay RM10 for zakat.

"The system eliminates red tape."

Amiruddin said the council needed to increase its zakat collection as more poor people in the state are waiting for assistance.

Citing an example, Amiruddin said the council built 300 homes for the poor last year and this year the number would be increased to 400 units.

"The cost to build the homes has also increased from RM35,000 to RM38,000 for two-bedroom units while the cost to build three-bedroom homes had increased to RM44,000 from RM40,000," said Amiruddin.

Besides homes for the poor, Amiruddin said the council also had 51 other assistance.

Those facing problems to sign up with the system can call the council at 05-208 4000.

Puhat said the number of people paying zakat in the state was relatively small. He hoped the number of people paying zakat would increase through this online system.

(New Straits Times / 22 May 2014)

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Alfalah Consulting - Kuala Lumpur: www.alfalahconsulting.com
Consultant-Speaker-Motivator: www.ahmad-sanusi-husain.com
Islamic Investment Malaysia: www.islamic-invest-malaysia.com

Malaysia: Centre makes it easier for people to pay zakat

KUALA LUMPUR: Pusat Pungutan Zakat (PPZ) collects tithes and is a subsidiary of Federal Territories Islamic Religious Council (MAIWP).

Its chief executive, Mohd Rais Alias, said people could check with PPZ whether they had to pay zakat as owners of companies or individuals.

"You can come directly to the counter or seek information on our portal. We even calculate the amount you need to pay."

PPZ collects both property tithes and zakat fitrah. The latter is collected during Ramadan. This year, 10 counters in Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Labuan were open every day throughout the fasting month for zakat fitrah collection.

"All counters are also open during office hours daily throughout December. Sometimes, we extend the operating hours. PPZ has been doing this since its inception in 1991."

He said PPZ had taken several measures to raise zakat collection, one of which was having a theme. This year's theme is "Year of Property Tithe".

"Based on the theme, we have an annual collection target."

Rais said these measures had raised the total collection of zakat annually and there had been a 63 per cent increase this year. This was proof that the level of awareness among Malaysians had increased.

He added that PPZ had provided many payment channels.

"We have also come up with an application called 'i-zakat' for Android smartphone users and appointed certain banks and agencies to collect zakat."

(New Straits Times / 25 Nov 2012)

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Alfalah Consulting - Kuala Lumpur: www.alfalahconsulting.com
Consultant-Speaker-Motivator: www.ahmad-sanusi-husain.com
Islamic Investment Malaysia: www.islamic-invest-malaysia.com