Over 5,000 Apply For Zakat Funds

The recent 'Zakat' rush at the Ministry of Religious Affairs building where thousands of people came to apply for their share of the Zakat fund was highlighted at the Legislative Council meeting yesterday.

The Minister of Religious Affairs, YB Pehin Jawatan Luar Pekerma Raja Dato Seri Utama Dr Ustaz Hj Awg Mohd Zain, responding to YB Hj Mohd Shafiee bin Ahmad's query, told the council that 5,066 applications have been received.

The ministry's building could not cope with the crowd and had to relocate the application process to the nearby stadium fearing unforeseen incidents.

The ministry has now set up a secretariat to find out two issues those who have outstanding dues under the national housing scheme and housing scheme under Yayasan and the poor and needy.

 Besides the secretariat, another committee has been set up to analyse recommendations which will be forwarded to the verification committee led by the Deputy Mufti to find out who is eligible and who is not.

For instance, whoever has incurred housing dues, there are three categories. Firstly, those who have been listed under the category of poor and needy by the Islamic Religious Council and the process are almost complete and will be forwarded to the relevant committee.

The second category involves public servants including those who are receiving pension, while the third category is the general public. The ministry is moving earnestly to support His Majesty's titah.

On January 18, 2009, thousands besieged the Ministry of Religious Affairs building for a slice of the czakaf. They came to apply to receive cash out of the huge balance of at least $200 million in undistributed Zakat funds following His Majesty's titah.

On January 13, His Majesty in his titah had weighed the possibility of the Islamic Religious Council of Brunei (MUIB) quickly distributing the Zakat balance to the poor, and whether the balance could be utilised to provide assistance to the Al-Gharimin group, one of the rightful Zakat recipients (Asnaf).

Meanwhile, YB Dato Paduka Hj Puasa bin Orang Kaya Seri Pahlawan Tudin raised the issue of declining ‘Zakat harta’ or property tithe highlighted by His Majesty two years ago during Hari Raya Aidilfiti.

There is an obvious decline as $8.8 million was collected in 2006 compared to $18.9 million in 2005. He inquired whether any study has been done on the sharp decline and if so, what are the reasons behind the decline.

In response, the Minister of Religious Affairs said the decline in property tithe was due to two Hari Raya celebrations in a year during that period. It means that the Zakat would also be doubled.

The Zakat from the Islamic institution was not submitted in the same year, but handed over the following year. There was a delay in handing over of the Zakat. It means that the property tithe was submitted twice in a year. These are among the reasons for the decline and surge in Zakat harta.

The issue of the Halalness of canned food separated at some supermarkets such as corned beef, meat and instant noodles was also raised by YB Hato Paduka Hj Puasa.

In his response, the Minister of Religious Affairs said strict control on the entry of canned food products that are stamped Halal is still under process. it is advisable for retailers to segregate canned food that are yet to be verified and approved for ltd Halalness.

"I advise the public to be cautious when buying canned food with Halal chops as there are some retailers who do not know what is Halal and what is not as they are not Muslims Recently, neighbouring countries have been consulted to find ways on whether the Halal food sold there can be consumed here in the Sultanate.