KUALA LUMPUR: Datasonic Group Bhd handed RM2 million in corporate zakat to Federal Territories Religious Council's Zakat Collection Centre (PPZ-MAIWP) today.
The company's executive chairman, Datuk Hanifah Noordin, handed the zakat through a cheque to PPZ-MAIWP chairman Tan Sri Dr Abdul Aziz Abdul Rahman.
Aziz expressed his gratitude to Datasonic for its large corporate zakat.
He said the centre has so far collected RM90 million in 'zakat harta' and 'zakat fitrah' since the beginning of Ramadan, which was still below their target of RM1 billion.
"The asnaf group is increasingly impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic and the unstable economy. This year's goal is to collect RM1 billion.
"We expect to collect more zakat during these last days of fasting," he said during the hand-over of corporate zakat event at the PPZ-MAIWP headquarters in Wisma PPZ, Taman Shamelin Perkasa here today.
Aziz said despite some people in the asnaf group no longer being categorised as such, there was still more than 30,000 categorised as asnaf in the city.
"It could not be denied that Malaysians today, especially housewives, find it easier to generate income from online businesses. PPZ-MAIWP intends to lend them a helping hand."
Aziz also expressed concern about people who have withdrawn a majority of their Employees Provident Fund (EPF) funds since they are more likely to run out of money in the future.
He said Muslims will receive a lot of blessings when they fulfil their zakat obligations, and that the orphans and asnaf who receive zakat will also continually pray for the wellbeing of zakat contributors.
He said fulfilling zakat obligations will also deepen a sense of brotherhood within the Muslim community.
Datasonic's Hanifah said the company is honoured to contribute to assist those in need.
"For the first time today, Datasonic has transferred RM2 million in corporate zakat to PPZ-MAIWP, which will be disbursed to the asnaf and other recognised zakat beneficiaries."
Present were Datasonic Technologies Sdn Bhd managing director Datuk Hamid Mohamad Hanipah, PPZ-MAIWP human resources senior general manager Azrin Abdul Manan, PPZ-MAIWP chief financial officer Azhan Ismail, Datasonic Group Bhd strategic communications director Safia Hanifah, and Datasonic Group Bhd special projects head Datuk Syahril Abdullah.
PPZ-MAIWP encourages Muslims hasten their efforts in paying the zakat fitrah. To those wishing to pay zakat fitrah, visit fitrah.zakat.com.my. 'Zakat harta' payments can be made at www.zakat.com.my.
