Day: March 17, 2023

KEPALA BATAS, The Penang State Islamic Religious Council (MAINPP) has announced the zakat fitrah rates in the state for this year of RM7, RM13 and RM20 per person.

MAINPP chairman Datuk Ahmad Zakiyuddin Abdul Rahman said the rates were decided after getting approval from the Penang Fatwa Committee and with the consent of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah as the head of Islam for Penang.

“The minimum each individual pays is RM7 and we encourage those consuming fragrant rice and its equivalent to pay RM13 and for those and for those who consume basmathi rice or similar or equivalent, RM20.

“The three zakat fitrah rates set are to provide an opportunity for Muslims in Penang who have the advantage in terms of the ability to fulfil their zakat obligations at a higher rate according to their ability,” he told reporters here today.

He was met after officiating the zakat fitrah amil certification and Ehya Ramadan contributions here today, which was also attended by Penang Zakat chief executive officer, Datuk Amran Hazali.

SOURCE: BERNAMA NEWS AGENCY

KEPALA BATAS, Any programme that invites Muslims to visit non-Muslim houses of worship in Penang must be referred to the Penang Islamic Religious Council (MAINPP).

MAINPP president Datuk Ahmad Zakiyuddin Abdul Rahman said this is to ensure that the organiser complies with all guidelines, including the dos and don’ts in the programme.

“The organiser must be a non-governmental organisation (NGO) related to unity or social work. If not, we don’t encourage them to hold such a programme.

“Refer to MAINPP because the programme has to be carried out in a controlled manner. I’m also confident there have been applications and guidelines issued by the mufti’s office before this. So we can refer to it again,” he told reporters today.

The Deputy Chief Minister I said this when asked whether Penang will follow Selangor’s move to impose a ban on programmes involving Muslims at non-Muslim houses of worship in the state.

Ahmad Zakiyuddin said Penang adheres to the Administration of Islamic Religious Affairs Enactment 1993, including prohibiting the spread of other religions to Muslims.

On Monday, a news portal reported that an NGO is organising a visit to a church and inviting non-Christians to join.

SOURCE: BERNAMA NEWS AGENCY

SHAH ALAM, The Selangor state assembly approved the Selangor Child Development Policy and Action Plan 2022-2025.

Selangor Speaker Ng Suee Lim announced the passing of the motion after the assembly passed it unanimously and after seven assemblymen debated the motion today.

He said the motion presented by Public Health, Unity and Women and Family Development Committee chairman Dr Siti Mariah Mahmud focused on 10 main domains, including parental and pre-natal preparation, social development, communication, early education and childcare, family prosperity, education (primary and secondary) the role of technology in child development, infrastructure and safety, socio economy and stakeholder involvement.

“In Selangor, we study from every aspect, including social and culture, including elderly, and children. No other state has tabled such a policy throughout this five years,” he told reporters after the assembly sitting today.

Ng said the motion will be studied by the state government in the upcoming term or at the federal level to be a guideline or suggestion to the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry to draft policies regarding children.

Dr Siti Mariah had said when presenting the motion that the policy was accompanied by a strategic action plan that is being drafted to achieve all 10 domains.

She said programme development and initiatives relating to children could be implemented strategically and in line with the demography and psychography of children in Selangor.

If all the challenges relating to child issues could be successfully solved, Selangor would see a positive result from the policy within five to 10 years.

“It is hoped that the policy will provide a clear and systematic guideline to the development of happy children in Selangor,” she added.

In other developments, Ng announced that the state assembly sitting, held since Monday, would be adjourned to a date to be announced.

SOURCE: BERNAMA NEWS AGENCY

KUALA LUMPUR, The Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) launched its Tabung Ihya’ Ramadan today to collect funds for resource programmes and spiritual events throughout the month of Ramadan.

The MAF Headquarters Public Affairs Division said in a statement today the launch would also strengthen the spirit of Islam in every MAF mosque and surau, besides collecting donations from individuals and corporate bodies.

It also aims to raise awareness among armed forces personnel so that they are physically and spiritually prepared to usher in the fasting month of Ramadan this year.

The fund was launched by Chief of Defence Force Gen Tan Sri Affendi Buang at the Khalid Al-Walid Kementah Mosque here today.

“This year, the mosque received a total of RM13,253.60 in contributions in the form of coupons with a minimum value of RM2 and a maximum of RM5 that have been distributed to ATM personnel at the armed forces headquarters as well as the Army, Navy and Air Force headquarters.

“The mosque also received a personal contribution from an individual, Md Humayun Kabir Al-Haj Hakim worth RM84,200 for the bubur lambuk, iftar and sahur programmes at the mosque totalling RM97,453.60,” according to the statement.

Affendi also handed over a contribution from the armed forces Zakat Fund totalling RM195,200 to the Chief of Defence Force and the representatives of the chiefs of the respective services to finance programmes and spiritual programmes at armed forces mosques and suraus.

SOURCE: BERNAMA NEWS AGENCY

KUALA LUMPUR, The National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK) and Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) today signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the implementation of the Drug-Free Workplace (Tekad) programme.

AADK director-general Sutekno Ahmad Belon said the drug prevention programme at workplaces was in line with the International Standard On Drug Use Prevention that involves seven main steps, including higher management commitment, policy and authority on drug prevention control.

“In addition, the implementation of training for supervisors, education and awareness programmes, training for providers of the education and awareness programmes for workers, drug prevention programmes in the community, treatment and rehabilitation programmes as well as reintegration into the workforce,” he said in a statement today.

Sutekno also expressed confidence that Petronas will be able to further strengthen its position and achievements through the implementation of the programme as it is able of creating a healthy, safe and prosperous environment.

He said that, indirectly, Petronas employees can become information disseminating agents on the dangers of drugs to friends, neighbours, families and the entire community.

SOURCE: BERNAMA NEWS AGENCY