MAIWP approves RM45.65 mln aid throughout MCO

Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Ahmad Marzuk Shaary said the aid was channelled to identified target groups including the asnaf (eligible tithe recipients), the homeless, students, frontliners, non-governmental organisations and those who are affected by COVID-19.

He said, among the aid provided were the additional special tithe assistance of RM500 to 24,156 asnaf amounting to RM12 million and sped up the distribution of monthly financial assistance in the first month of MCO was announced.

"MAIWP also provides COVID-19 emergency tithe aid to those affected by the implementation of MCO. To date, a total of 17,500 people have benefited from the scheme, involving a total amount of RM8.65 million.

"MAIWP has also distributed food packs to frontliners and channelled financial assistance for the purchase of medical equipment for seven hospitals as well as PPE (personal protective equipment) for The National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA)," he said.

He said this in response to a question from Dr Nik Muhammad Zawawi Salleh (PAS-Pasir Puteh) on the amount of tithe money spent to help those affected by the implementation of MCO at the Dewan Rakyat sitting here today.

Ahmad Marzuk also said that state Islamic Religious Councils (MAIN) and the Tithe Management Agency (AMZ) had distributed RM426.9 million aid to the target groups.

Meanwhile, Ahmad Marzuk said the Federal Territory Wakaf Bill is expected to be tabled in Parliament in December.