UNEMPLOYMENT and rising living costs have pushed more people across the poverty line in Malaysia’s richest state, the Selangor Religious Council (Mais) said today. 

Sounding a warning in the Friday sermon today, it said the number of poor households in Selangor rose by 2,207 in a year, from 44,393 in 2015 to 46,500 last year.

Despite some state help and cash handouts, Mais said it was also providing funds from the zakat or tithe paid by Muslims. 

“The addition of 2,207 poor families in need has prompted Mais to increase its zakat assistance,” according to the sermon read out in mosques across Selangor. 

Mais said RM22.2 million in zakat was collected Selangor last year and RM32 million in zakat would be distributed to the poor in the state for Ramadan and the coming Hari Raya Aidilfitri.

“In conjunction with the holy month of Ramadan, we would like to remind all of their zakat obligations so you will be rewarded by Allah in the afterlife; bring joy to the poor who need to celebrate Ramadan and Hari Raya Aidilfitri this year.”

Higher fuel prices sent the inflation rate for March soaring to its highest level in nearly nine years, with the consumer price index (CPI) rising 5.1%.

The Department of Statistics said food and non-alcoholic beverages rose 4.1%, recreation services and culture 3%, health 2.6%, restaurants and hotels 2.3%, and housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels 2.1%.

The Selangor Fatwa Committee has set the rate of zakat contribution at RM7 per person in the state. Selangor Zakat Board has appointed 2,671 collectors in mosques and suraus and 28 zakat counters have been set up in Selangor to facilitate payment.

The board was appointed by the Selangor sultan to to manage zakat affairs in the state under the supervision of Mais. – June 2, 2017.