Baznas Asserts That Zakat, Sadaqah and Donations Are Not Used to Fund the MBG Programme

Baznas Asserts That Zakat, Sadaqah and Donations Are Not Used to Fund the MBG Programme

• Special Report

Jakarta, VIVA – The National Zakat Agency (Baznas) of the Republic of Indonesia has affirmed that Zakat, Sadaqah and Donations (ZIS) collected from donors and the public are not used to fund the Free Nutritious Meal Programme (MBG).

Rizaludin Kurniawan, Head of the Baznas RI Collection Division, stated that the use of ZIS has clear regulations and cannot be diverted for purposes outside those stipulated in Islamic law.

“We affirm that the zakat, sadaqah and donations entrusted to Baznas by the public are not used, not even by one per cent, for the MBG programme. All of it is distributed for the benefit of the community in accordance with the provisions for the eight categories of recipients,” he said in a statement in Jakarta on Wednesday.

Rizaludin emphasised that ZIS can only be used for the eight categories of recipients (asnaf) as stipulated in Islamic law, namely the poor, the needy, those who collect zakat, new converts, slaves, those in debt, those who strive in the way of Allah, and travellers in need.

He said that these provisions serve as the main guidelines in the management of zakat at Baznas, so that the entire process, from collection to distribution, must remain within the framework of Islamic law and not deviate from the applicable regulations.

Furthermore, Rizaludin explained that both in terms of institutional structure and funding sources, the MBG programme and the management of zakat operate under different systems.

The MBG programme is a government programme funded through the state budget, while ZIS funds come from public donations, the use of which is strictly regulated in Islamic law.

“Therefore, the use of zakat funds cannot be diverted to programmes that do not fall into the category of asnaf, including the MBG programme,” he said.

Rizaludin assured that the management of zakat at Baznas also adheres to the 3A principles, namely Syariah compliance, regulatory compliance, and compliance with the interests of the nation. These principles serve as the basis to ensure that the management of zakat is not only in accordance with religious teachings, but also complies with the law and supports the interests of the nation.

In its implementation, Rizaludin said that the distribution and utilisation programmes for ZIS managed by Baznas are focused on poverty alleviation, improving access to education and healthcare, economic empowerment, and humanitarian assistance for vulnerable groups that fall into the eight categories of recipients.