Sustainable economy enables bodies to contribute more for tithes - PM Najib

The sustainable development of the national economy enables companies and corporate bodies in the country to earn more profits, and thus be able to contribute more tithes to share with those in need.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said government policies helped the economy to be in good shape, despite the uncertain global economy which contributed to the fall in oil prices.

"As a result of government policies, we can still develop the economy well in the first quarter of the year despite the unpredictable global economic situation. This is one of our successes, although many are not able to assess.

"When we are successful, companies and corporations earn huge profits and they can contribute larger amounts to tithes and share the good fortune," he said.

Najib was speaking at a presentation of tithes amounting to RM2.6 million from 11 corporations which was then delivered to 6,347 poor recipients comprising senior citizens, people with disabilities and single mothers in the Pekan parliamentary constituency here today.

Present were the prime minister's wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, who helped to distribute the tithes and Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob.

Among the tithe contributors who were present were Bank Rakyat chairman Gen (Rtd) Tan Sri Shukry Mohd Salleh, National Farmers Organisation (Nafas) chairman Datuk Seri Saipolbahari Suib, and Naza Group Corporation Holdings executive chairman SM Nasaruddin SM Nasimuddin.

Also present were Roadcare (M) Sdn Bhd managing director Datuk Seri Muzaffar Syah Abd Rahman and UDA Holdings Berhad chairman Datuk Dr Shafie Abdullah.

All the tithes received were RM500,000 from Bank Kerjasama Rakyat Malaysia Berhad, Nafas (RM500,000), Safura Holdings (RM500,000), Naza Holdings Berhad (RM280,000), Roadcare (M) Sdn Bhd (RM250,000), Uda Holdings Berhad (RM200.00) and Lembaga Tabung Haji (RM100,000).

Donations also came from SME Bank (RM100,000), Wekajaya Sdn Bhd (RM100,000), Affin Islamic Bank Berhad (RM50,000), Poverty Eradication Foundation (Yayasan Basmi Kemiskinan) (RM50,000), while Najib also presented a number of personal donations.

Najib also thanked the contributors for choosing to distribute the aid to poor recipients in Pekan which is hoped to ease the burden of the recipients in preparing for Aidilfitri.