Selangor's Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah today stressed that the collection of zakat (tithes) must only be used to help less fortunate Muslims and for the development of the Muslim community in the state.

sultan selangor and khalid ibrahim 250209 "I do not consent the zakat collection being taken out, borrowed or channelled to other purposes. I also do not want those outside the Selangor Zakat Board (SZB) administration to interfere with the management of zakat in the state," the sultan ( right in photo) said when opening the convention on 'Integrity in Managing Zakat' today.

The day-long convention, organised by the SZB and Selangor Mufti Department, is aimed at enhancing managing of zakat .

Sultan Sharafuddin said the amount of zakat collected each year and where the money goes, should be revealed to the public through the media.

"The zakat collection must be managed properly and there should be no irregularities in collecting, managing and disbursing it. I believe if those entrusted with managing zakat are involved in any misappropriation, they will face punishment from Allah."

The sultan said he takes a deep interest in how the money is being managed.

Selangor Menteri Besar Abdul Khalid Ibrahim recently proposed during the state assembly sitting that the Baitulmal fund derived from zakat collection be used to develop the state.

New zakat rate

Meanwhile, the zakat fitrah (zakat payment per person during the month of Ramadan) for Muslims in Selangor has been fixed at RM7 this year.

NONE Selangor Islamic Affairs Council chairperson Mohd Adzib Mohammad Isa said the sultan has consented to the increase from RM5.20 set last year.

He said the SZB expects to collect RM12 million in zakat this year.

Mohd Adzib said almost RM16 million has been allocated to be distributed to 10,843 poor families and 10,778 hardcore poor families in the state, in conjunction with Ramadan and Hari Raya. Each family receives between RM550 and RM1,000, based on the number of dependants.

He said the number of poor families has increased to 10,843 from 5,985 last year and hardcore poor to 10,778 from 9,928.

This is due to the use of a new poverty line (below RM1,500 monthly household income, with five dependants, compared to RM1,200 previously) and the effect of the economic downturn because many heads of households have lost their jobs.

- Bernama