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Malaysia
yesterday extended an invitation to His Majesty the Sultan and Yang
Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam to become a joint founder of the
International Zakat Organisation.
The
invitation from Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad
Badawi, who is a joint founder of the organisation, to His Majesty was
delivered by the Minister at the Malaysian Prime Minister’s Office,
Dato’ Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, during an audience at the Istana
Nurul Iman.
Dato’
Ahmad Zahid was accompanied by Dato’ Ku Jaafar bin Ku Shaari, High
Commissioner of Malaysia to Brunei Darussalam during the audience.
Also
present during the audience were Pehin Jawatan Luar Pekerma Raja Dato
Seri Utama Dr Ustaz Haji Awang Mohd Zain bin Haji Serudin, Minister of
Religious Affairs; Dato Paduka Awang Haji Ishaaq bin Haji Abdullah,
Acting Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Religious Affairs; and
Awang Haji Ahci Aziz bin Orang Kaya Maharaja Lela Haji Mohd Yusof,
Deputy Permanent Secretary at the Prime Minister’s Office.
The
Malaysian minister said the formation of the International Zakat
Organisation will ensure the distribution of money to qualified
recipients through a professional organisation.
During
an interview with the Bulletin after a get-together with Malaysians
living in Brunei, Dato’ Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid said, “His Majesty has
given serious attention to forming this international organisation.”
The minister added that Malaysia has agreed to allocate RM4.2 million to the organisation’s fund to ensure it is set in motion.
This
plan to form the International Zakat Organisation has also been
discussed with the Minister at the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Pehin
Jawatan Luar Pekerma Raja Dato Seri Utama Dr Ustaz Haji Awang Mohd Zain
bin Haji Serudin, during their meeting yesterday.
At
the initial stage, the forming of this organisation will be discussed
among MABIMS ministers in Indonesia and later on in Singapore.
The Malaysian minister said that Malaysia and Brunei will hold a Perdana Forum together at the Jerudong Park Amphitheatre.
Meanwhile,
the State Mufti of Brunei will be invited to take part in television
programmes in Malaysia, “Bicara Mufti”, to increase the scope of
discussions with the State
Other
issues touched upon during the audience included the use of the Halal
logo for consumer goods processed according to the Hukum Syariah for
Muslim consumers in both countries. Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid also made
note of Brunei’s efforts in promoting the Halal logo through the Brunei
Premium Halal trademark.
The
programme Wakaf Al-Quran, which will begin during the Ramadhan month,
was also touched upon during the audience, the minister said. The
contribution from this programme will be directed to followers of Islam
who live as minorities in other countries. |
