Compulsory zakat deductions for Kedah govt staff

The Star

ALOR STAR: Civil servants in Kedah will have to make zakat (tithe) payments through compulsory monthly salary deductions from this year.

The Sultan of Kedah Sultan Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah said a circular on the directive had been sent to all state government departments and subsidiary companies.

“This compulsory deduction will ensure that all eligible Muslim staff perform their zakat obligation,” he said in his speech at the state-level Maulidur Rasul celebrations yesterday.

Also present at the function were Kedah Sultanah Tuanku Haminah Hamidun, the Raja Muda and Raja Puan Muda of Kedah and Mentri Besar Azizan Abdul Razak.

Sultan Abdul Halim said he believed that the compulsory deduction would improve the state’s tithe collection.

He added the money would be used to help the needy.

The Ruler also presented the outstanding religious missionary (pendakwah) award to Abd Rahman Ahmad, 57, and outstanding imam award to Hassan Yaacob, 73.

Both of them were recognised for their contributions to the Muslim community in Sik and Baling respectively.