Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim expressed his disapproval of the existence of poverty in states with substantial zakat collections, emphasizing that zakat is meant to address poverty, not just generate revenue.
Addressing the Penang International Zakat Conference (Zapicon 2024) at Universiti Sains Malaysia in George Town, Penang, Anwar emphasized the need for proper utilization of zakat funds to eradicate poverty in all states.
He stressed that zakat management is linked to governance and must be free from any abuse of power, with every sen collected being accounted for.
Moreover, Anwar called for zakat to contribute to reducing the income gap and providing access to facilities and technological advances for the low-income group in order to promote competitiveness.
Highlighting the spiritual aspect of zakat, Anwar underscored that it goes beyond economic and social agendas, forming an important part of the Islamic religious framework.
Furthermore, he received positive reports on poverty eradication from several states, indicating a positive impact of zakat funds in addressing poverty.
Anwar also expressed a strong desire for a report from Penang on the poverty situation as it has a low number of hardcore poor, and suggested the potential diversification of zakat funding to support additional initiatives, such as funding weddings for young couples, in areas where poverty has been significantly reduced.
In summary, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, speaking at the Penang International Zakat Conference, emphasized the need for states to effectively utilize zakat funds to eradicate poverty, address income disparity, and promote competitiveness among the low-income group, stressing that zakat goes beyond just generating revenue and is an essential institution in Islamic religious and spiritual realms. He also received positive reports on poverty eradication in several states, indicating the positive impact of zakat funds in addressing poverty and expressed a strong desire for a report from Penang on the poverty situation.
