LZS Hits Record RM1.22 Bln Collection In 2024
SHAH ALAM, April 23 (Bernama) -- Lembaga Zakat Selangor (LZS) has recorded its highest zakat (tithe) collection to date, reaching RM1.22 billion in 2024, as the agency ramps up support for low-income households and vulnerable communities in the state.
Its chief executive officer Mohd Khaidzir Shahari said RM1.19 billion of the total was distributed to more than 370,000 asnaf, or eligible recipients, marking a three per cent increase from RM1.15 billion in aid disbursed the previous year.
'The largest share of the aid, RM707 million or 60 per cent, was allocated to the fakir (extremely poor) and miskin (poor) categories, underscoring the agency's continued commitment to supporting the most vulnerable groups in Selangor,' he said.
He added that this amount in aid reached more than 77,800 needy families, a 19 per cent increase from 2023.
Mohd Khaidzir shared the figures at a press conference on the state's zakat collection and distribution performance held at Menara Zakat Sultan Idris Shah, alongside LZS chairman Tan Sri Syed Anwar Jamalullail.
The record-breaking figure reflects growing public confidence in the agency and a greater shift toward consistent zakat contributions through formal channels.
He noted that zakat on income remained the most significant contributor by category, generating RM712 million or 58 per cent of total collections. This was followed by business zakat (RM199 million), savings zakat (RM130 million), zakat on wealth (RM70 million) and fitrah zakat (RM41 million).
Salary deductions continued to be the most widely used payment method, bringing in RM546 million or 45 per cent of total funds, he said.
Direct debit showed the fastest growth, increasing by 60 per cent to RM1.4 million, indicating a rising preference for automated, user-friendly payment systems, he added.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Barnama
20 minutes ago
- Barnama
Cooperatives Urged To Implement Digitalisation Immediately To Remain Competitive
PUTRAJAYA, June 22 (Bernama) -- Coooperatives have been urged to implement digitalisation initiatives immediately and make full use of modern technology to ensure they remain competitive. Cooperatives Commission of Malaysia chairman Datuk Ahmad Norihan Jalal said the current business environment in Malaysia was challenging and required cooperatives to use technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT). 'We cannot be complacent, the business world will continue to change and cooperatives need to ride this wave of change. If cooperatives don't adapt, they will be left behind,' he said at a media conference after attending Koperasi Sahabat Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia Berhad's (Koop Sahabat) annual general meeting here today. Ahmad Norihan said digitalisation would speed up various process in cooperatives, from internal administration to e-commerce, and will not only boost efficiency but open up more job opportunities. 'Digital transformation in cooperatives must be seen as a long term investment. AI, IoT and digital systems aren't new things,' he added. Ahmad Norihan praised Koop Sahabat for launching an AI-based virtual support system, YATI, that was capable of giving immediate feedback and speed up access for its members, stating that the cooperative was brave in being innovative. Meanwhile Koop Sahabat chairman Mohd Najib Mohd Noor announced a dividend of 10 per cent for the 2024 financial year involving a total of RM10.5 million for 449,848 members. 'Our revenue was rather high with a profit of RM37 million, about a 140 per cent rise from the previous year,' he said, adding that the Ar-Rahnu business was the highest contributor to the cooperative's revenue, followed by investments in real estate and housing projects. -- BERNAMA
Barnama
an hour ago
- Barnama
KESUMA Approves RM1.5 Million For Northern Zone PHEKS
BUTTERWORTH, June 22 (Bernama) -- The Human Resources Ministry (KESUMA) has approved 124 applications for the Union Affairs Development Grant (PHEKS), amounting to RM1.5 million, for the Northern Zone, covering Perak, Penang, Kedah and Perlis. Human Resources Minister Steven Sim said this included 26 approved applications worth RM261,988 in Penang; 21 applications worth RM384,670 in Kedah; 15 applications valued at RM211,569 in Perlis; and 52 applications in Perak involving RM656,722. 'Overall, a total of 1,049 PHEKS applications were received this year from various trade unions nationwide, of which 551 applications amounting to RM7.15 million were approved,' he said. 'I hope this allocation will be put to good use to strengthen our unions,' he said at the Northern Zone PHEKS 2025 assistance presentation ceremony here today, which was also attended by Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow. This year, the government allocated RM10 million for the implementation of PHEKS, the highest in history, compared with RM5.8 million last year. A total of RM7.15 million was distributed to trade unions under approved clusters, while RM2.85 million was allocated for the outreach and community service programmes. Sim added that his ministry is targeting two million union members nationwide by the end of this year. He expressed confidence in reaching the target, noting that the number of new trade unions formed last year was five times higher than in previous years. He said the MADANI Worker Card initiative has also helped boost trade union membership, which currently stands at one million, by offering discounts of up to 30 per cent at over 200 companies providing essential goods and services to registered members. The PHEKS is a one-off financial aid provided to registered trade unions in Malaysia through the Department of Trade Union Affairs (JHEKS) under the KESUMA to support union-related activities.
Barnama
an hour ago
- Barnama
Johari: Hire Local TVET Grads Or No Foreign Workers For Plantations
KUALA KANGSAR, June 22 (Bernama) -- The Plantation and Commodities Ministry (MPIC) has mandated that plantation industry players must first hire graduates from Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programmes before considering the employment of foreign workers. Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani said industry players must provide proof of their efforts to hire TVET graduates to the ministry before they are permitted to recruit foreign workers. "We are currently facing a situation where many industries are unwilling to hire graduates who have completed their training. They are reluctant to provide these students with the opportunity to gain practical experience because they prefer to take the easier route. "Although the government has approved foreign workers for the plantation sector, I will not allow it unless industry players contribute to our local youth," he said when met at the Dialog@MPIC session here today. Johari said the ministry will train about 250 TVET students annually in the plantation sector, and they will be placed in the industry based on the specific needs of the industry players. He said industry players must train these students until they become skilled and future specialists in the plantation sector. "I want to commend Sime Darby and FGV for their dedicated initiatives to provide accommodation and decent salaries for young individuals who did not attend university. These youths can earn a salary of RM2,500 if they develop their skills and complete a TVET Level 3 qualification, and in another eight months, they could earn up to RM3,500. "…we must support these students in developing their careers. Otherwise, we're abandoning these youths, and that's not what we promised. Some industry players even refuse to hire them, and that's why I want to enforce this prerequisite. Currently, we depend on nearly 260,000 foreign workers to manage our plantations," he said. Johari said the sector is vital as it represents the world's third-largest export industry, and within the national commodity sector, Malaysia exports approximately RM168 billion. He emphasised the need for industry players to take responsibility for mentoring and supporting these young talents.
