GEORGE TOWN: The Penang Islamic Religious Council (MAINPP) has approved RM3.19mil in tithe assistance under the school uniform and equipment scheme for the 2025 school session, benefiting 21,000 eligible students.
MAINPP president Datuk Dr Mohamad Abdul Hamid, who is also Penang Deputy Chief Minister I, said the assistance would be distributed via a cashless payment method, with each student receiving RM150.
"As usual, every year, Zakat Pulau Pinang (ZPP) distributes zakat funds to students through the scheme to help ease the burden on parents who are less able to afford school uniforms and equipment,” he said in a statement on Friday (Dec 27).
Meanwhile, Mohamad said that under the Nur Ramadan Scheme, RM10.15mil had been distributed to 23,528 to the poor and asnaf (eligible tithe recipients) to ease their burden and bring joy during Ramadan and Aidilfitri this year.
The ZPP chairman added that starting next year, MAINPP, through ZPP, would improve the distribution process for school uniforms and equipment and Nur Ramadan schemes.
Mohamad said that under the new distribution process, the school uniform and equipment scheme would involve nominations by schools and ZPP, while the Nur Ramadan Scheme would see ZPP providing asnaf data to the mosque kariah for verification by the mosque district in Penang.
"This time, the nomination process will no longer involve parties, such as MAINPP members, ZPP Board of Directors members, or non-governmental organisations, as it did in previous years,” he said.
Mohamad stated that the decision was made to ensure the distribution of assistance under the two schemes could be carried out more systematically and transparently.- Bernama
