Kota bharu: This report is the first in a series highlighting the contributions of tithe payers and the responsibility of the Federal Territories Islamic Religious Council (MAIWP), which go beyond fulfilling a religious obligation to form part of efforts to build a more stable, educated, healthy, productive and resilient society.
According to Bernama News Agency, tithe should not be viewed merely as welfare assistance as it is an Islamic social and economic development instrument capable of protecting vulnerable groups, creating economic opportunities, and strengthening social stability, while serving as a social safety net to help stabilise their lives. The contributions of tithe payers have a far-reaching impact beyond assistance to individual recipients as, when distributed in a planned manner, the benefits are also felt by families, communities, educational institutions, the healthcare sector, and the local economy.
For example, when a family receives assistance for living expenses, food, rent, or medical treatment, it not only addresses their immediate needs but also ensures that their children can remain in school, patients can continue their treatment, families do not lose their homes, and the breadwinner can return to work or seek an income. According to statistics displayed on the MAIWP portal as of Aug 8, 2026, tithe collection stood at more than RM604.78 million, while tithe distribution reached about RM681.55 million, including more than RM206 million for welfare, RM123 million for ummah development, RM71 million for education, RM27 million for medical assistance, and RM18 million for shelter.
MAIWP chairman Datuk Syed Kamarulzaman Syed Kabeer highlighted the aim of asnaf development, which ensures those who are capable and productive do not remain trapped in a cycle of dependency. "In MAIWP, the process begins with a comprehensive assessment of the applicant's circumstances. Eligibility is not determined based on income alone but also considers the 'kifayah' limit, namely the level of household sufficiency based on the family's income, dependants, and basic needs," he stated.
He added that asnaf development should go through several stages, including stabilising their lives through assistance with food, housing, medical treatment, and their children's education, as well as providing income-generating opportunities. This should be accompanied by measuring their progress in moving out of poverty based on income, employment stability, financial resilience, and the family's ability to meet its own needs.
MAIWP also focuses on several forms of non-financial development, including education and skills training, entrepreneurship guidance, career and employability training, healthcare and rehabilitation support, housing protection, as well as spiritual and family development. Syed Kamarulzaman noted that MAIWP has developed an education ecosystem encompassing preschool education, religious schools, tahfiz, skills education, and professional education, aiming to improve the economic standing of participants.
The council also provides business capital incentives and assistance to purchase vehicles for business or service activities for eligible asnaf. Entrepreneur development programmes are implemented in stages, with recent collaborations including the MAIWP Tunas Usahawan programme with SME Corp Malaysia and the People's Income Initiative-Food Entrepreneur Initiative.
In today's digital age, technology has enhanced the transparency and convenience of tithe payments, enabling the public to see how MAIWP supports asnaf families, funds education, improves healthcare, and empowers the Muslim community. Syed Kamarulzaman emphasized that digital approaches and collaborations with various parties are essential for strengthening communication and making the tithe message more relatable and understandable.