Zakat Rohingya: 'Many more of our people difficult' - Che Mat

CHE MAT: 'Many more of our people difficult.' -Image File

KUALA LUMPUR: The Chairman of Zakat Collection Centre Majlis Agama Islam Wilayah Persekutuan (PPZ-religious council), Datuk Che Mat Che Ali described the collection of zakat money in this country more 'good' prioritized and channeled to the people of this country before it is used to help Rohingyas.

Che Mat, who is also former director of the Federal Territory Islamic Religious Department (Jawi) said that despite efforts to assist the Rohingya refugees seen the good works of charity money but priority should be put to the people of this country.

"We must focus on the poor in the country before. The people we are sadly many others.

"But a good question to Pahang Mufti, Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Osman himself about the reality today. I do not want to elaborate his opinion," he said when contacted here today.

"We must focus on the poor in the country before. Many more of our people difficult
"
- Che Mat
Abdul Rahman on Monday described the collection of zakat money in this country can be used to help the Rohingyas because they are included in the category 'ar-Riqab', one of those recipients.

Previously, the Interior Minister, Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi urged all non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and individuals regardless of religion and race to provide assistance to the Rohingya refugees.

Zahid stressed that his ministry is ready to cooperate with the Department of Immigration and receive all forms of support and contributions to assist refugees stranded in Langkawi on May 10.

In the meantime Che Mat said, the number of people categorized sadly still high in the country, including in the Federal Territory alone.

Previously, the Che Mat was reported as saying, PPZ Federal Territory optimistic to achieve the target of 85 per cent of tax payers by the end of last year.

Obviously, it is expected to increase based on the number of tax payers last year increased by 12 percent over the previous year.

Meanwhile, Kelantan Mufti Datuk Mohamad Shukri Mohamad was quoted as saying, Rohingya refugees are also entitled to receive zakat under 'Ibnus Sabil' the traveler who ran out of supplies in the course or during the journey from the country bringing good returns to the Muslims.

He said Malaysia as an Islamic state has an obligation to assist it in the spirit of humanity and one religion.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak in mid-May said, the issue of Rohingya refugees who flooded waters of regional countries including Malaysia needs to be urgently addressed before the situation grew dire.

He said, the Rohingya issue is not only ASEAN, but it is a universal humanitarian issues of concern to all parties.

On Tuesday, the Director General of the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) Datuk Othman Mustapha also argued, the oppressed Rohingya refugees should be given help charity and other appropriate assistance.

Obviously, the cooperation of the Islamic Council and the Islamic Religious Department in each state will be required to provide all forms of assistance required, including the refugee charity.

Previously, Othman menyifarkan flood victims can receive help charity according to specific criteria decided by the mufti in every state.

He said that in addition to the poor or recipients affected by the floods, other victims can also receive zakat if placed under the category of Al-Gharimin also entitled to receive zakat.