Baznas Denies Claims Zakat Funds Will Finance Free Nutritious Meals (MBG)

The National Amil Zakat Agency (Baznas) has corrected information regarding unfounded rumours alleging that zakat collected from the public would be used to finance the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme. The clarification was given by the Chair of Baznas for the Special Region of Yogyakarta (DIY), Puji Astuti, when she met the Sultan of Yogyakarta, who is also the Governor of the Special Region, Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono X, on the sidelines of zakat payments at the Yogyakarta Kepatihan Office, on Tuesday 3 March 2026. ‘News coverage and negative rumours circulating today about zakat for the MBG programme are not true,’ Puji said. She noted that zakat management is conducted in accordance with the Three Safeguards: Sharia, Regulation, and NKRI safeguards, and Baznas guarantees the integrity of the distribution of funds will not deviate from the Islamic ethical framework. ‘We assure that zakat funds are not for MBG. We have never had any connection or involvement with MBG. That is very different because MBG does not fall within the eight Asnaf categories,’ Puji said. She then presented management data for 2025 in DIY. The ZIS-DSKL funds raised amounted to Rp 12.5 billion, plus natural disaster donations (Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra) of Rp 1.4 billion. The funds, she said, have been audited financially by a Public Accounting Firm with an Unqualified Opinion for nine consecutive years. Moreover, a Shariah audit by Indonesia’s Ministry of Religious Affairs has given her agency a rating of Transparent and Very Good. Although zakat participation is still dominated by civil servants (ASN) at 40 percent, Puji hopes to push 60 percent of zakat potential from the non-ASN sector for greater impact. The Sultan noted that zakat is not merely a religious obligation but also a social cushion amid global economic vulnerability, stressing the need to reposition zakat management as a strategic and flexible muamalah instrument. He added that zakat success depends on professionalism and good governance. ‘Zakat is not merely a duty of worship; it brings relief, fosters charity, and softens the hearts of others. Wealth is not to be hoarded but to be used for the welfare of others,’ he said. He also urged regional government department heads to ensure staff fulfil their 2.5 percent zakat obligation through official channels.