Shah Alam, Dec 3 — The Selangor Zakat Board (LZS) will organise more programmes to improve the socio-economic status of asnaf so that the number of zakat (tithe) recipients from the asnaf category and poverty in Selangor can be reduced.
LZS chief executive officer Mohd Sabirin Mohd Sarbini said the Statistics Department’s study showed that the number of asnaf families in the state was expected to reach 157,000 in 2030.
“Looking at the expected trend of increasing asnaf, LZS has started various initiatives both in terms of collection and distribution of zakat to meet future needs. This includes implementing development programmes for the hardcore poor and poor to help them become independent so that they will be able to contribute back to the zakat collection cycle.
“Alhamdulillah, the programmes that have been organised have a positive effect on the asnaf families,” he told reporters after launching the Asnaf Cemerlang Award ceremony at a hotel here today.
Also present were LZS chairman Tan Sri Syed Anwar Tuanku Syed Putra Jamalullai and his deputy Tan Sri Ambrin Buang.
Mohd Sabirin said LZS aimed at removing as many as 4,000 asnaf families from that group next year.
“We will also increase efforts to identify students who drop out of the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia due to various factors and help them through the Technical, Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and skills training programmes.
“LZS will also collaborate with the Selangor Education Department (JPNS) and the District Education Offices (PPD) to help students improve in Bahasa Melayu and English subjects,” he said.
Earlier, LZS presented awards and recognition to 65 asnaf who excelled in academics and business.
LZS also gave recognition to eight corporate companies and agencies that have always helped in the development of the asnaf group in Selangor, namely the Social Security Organisation, Teraju Ekonomi Asnaf Sdn Bhd (TERAS), Yayasan Johawaki, Centre For Entrepreneur Development and Research (CEDAR), Etiqa Takaful Family Berhad, Worldwide Holding Berhad, Perbadanan Tabung Pendidikan Tinggi Nasional (PTPTN) and Gerbang Alaf Restaurant Sdn Bhd.
— Bernama
