KUCHING: Bank Rakyat and its subsidiary, Rakyat Management Services Sdn Bhd, have submitted business zakat (charity money) totalling RM1.53 million and RM100,000 to Sarawak Baitulmal Fund for the financial year ended 2019.
The distribution of business zakat was part of the RM32.99 million zakat approved by Bank Rakyat to all states in Malaysia in 2019.
“Each year, Bank Rakyat fulfils its obligation, one of the pillars of Islam as well as its corporate social responsibility (CSR), by allocating zakat and hibah (gift) reaching RM30 million to be channelled to the State Islamic Religious Councils throughout the nation.
“Since 2010, Bank Rakyat has distributed a total of RM39.1 million in zakat funds to Sarawak,” said Bank Rakyat chief executive officer (CEO) Datuk Rosman Mohamed in a statement issued by the Ministry of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives (Medac) on August 23.
He said the distribution of zakat is in line with Bank Rakyat 2025’s (BR25) five-year plan which focuses on the ‘Vision of Common Prosperity’ by serving the community based on Islamic values and principles of sustainability.
“Bank Rakyat always strives to fulfil the mandate of the establishment of the bank in providing opportunities to the community, including the asnaf (beneficiaries of zakat), in shaping the life of a prosperous and growing society through the provision of Islamic social tools such as waqf (Islamic endowments), zakat and hibah to meet the basic needs of the group who needs it, including food and shelter,” he added.
The handover of business zakat was presented by Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar to Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Haji Abdul Taib Mahmud in a brief ceremony during a courtesy call held at the latter’s residence in Demak Jaya here.
Also present at the ceremony was secretary-general of Medac, who is also a member of the board of directors of Bank Rakyat, Datuk Seri Mohammad bin Mentek, and Rosman.
Meanwhile, Dr Wan Junaidi said he hoped that the zakat would help the asnaf and the needy to maintain their food supply throughout the recovery movement control order (RMCO).
He also called on Islamic institutions and communities to continue to pay their zakat to help the affected, especially the poor and needy asnaf who are dependent on assistance during difficult periods.
“Hopefully with the fulfilment of one of the pillars of Islam, the business, run by Bank Rakyat with its subsidiaries, will be more developed to uplift a comprehensive Islamic banking system that will contribute to the growth and development process of the community, country and globally,” he added.
