The National Higher Education Fund (PTPTN) has clarified that it is obligated to make zakat payments on gains made through its investments.

In a statement last night, PTPTN said its funds, including deposits in the National Education Savings Scheme (SSPN), are invested, and therefore 2.5 percent of net gains have to be allocated for zakat payments.

The agency said this practice has been ongoing since 2016, involving all states.

"The ceremony for zakat payments were held in Malacca, Penang, Johor, Pahang, Negeri Sembilan, Sarawak and Kedah. There will be ceremonies in other states as well, if it is organised by the recipients in those states," the statement read.

PTPTN and its chairperson Wan Saiful Wan Jan had drawn flak from netizens and Rembau MP Khairy Jamaluddin following the much publicised RM1 million in zakat payments to Kedah, in view of the agency's current financial problems.

Some commentators claim that the zakat payment was politically motivated.

Technically, PTPTN is in the black, but as pointed out by Malaysiakini yesterday, the agency would have been far in the red since 2011 had it not been for hefty federal government grants every year.

In its statement, the agency also noted that the zakat payments were made following consultation with the Federal Territories Zakat Collection Centre and the Selangor Zakat Board.

It also said that the zakat payments would not affect loans to students because these were merely based on gains made on investments, and not from the fund meant for loans.

"PTPTN hopes that the zakat payments, which we are obligated to make, does not become an issue because it is a religious requirement."