Data Accuracy in the Distribution and Utilisation of ZIS-DSKL
The empowerment of zakat and waqf in Indonesia is at a critical juncture. As the country with the world’s largest Muslim population, these Islamic social finance instruments are not merely ritual worship routines, but strategic socio-economic capital for alleviating poverty and building sustainable community welfare.
However, to transform this enormous potential into tangible impact, national zakat governance requires a fundamental transformation grounded in data precision and modern technology.
Optimal and proportional zakat distribution cannot be born from assumptions alone. The key lies in precise mapping, both in terms of revenue sources and distribution points. We must have a mapping of potential muzaki and a mapping of mustahik, because location and region are the true guides for zakat governance.
Accurate geographical and demographic mapping serves to prevent the overlapping of aid in one area or for a particular group, while ensuring no mustahik is overlooked. Poverty is a multidimensional issue encompassing access to education, health and economic independence. Through good mapping, zakat utilisation programmes can be designed measurably to target the real needs of the community.
Concrete steps towards data-based governance have just entered a new chapter. The government has officially taken firm action to stop the practice of data accumulation and duplication of zakat aid recipients in Indonesia. Through collaboration between the Ministry of National Development Planning/Bappenas, the Ministry of Religious Affairs and BAZNAS, the One Data Zakat, Infaq, Sadaqah and Other Religious Social Funds (ZIS-DSKL) system was officially launched on Thursday, 6 August 2026.
This step is a solution to the classic problem of lack of data integration between muzaki and mustahik, which often triggers overlapping distribution. With integrated data, Islamic philanthropy programmes will be far more coordinated, accurate and efficient, both in mobilising ZIS funds and empowering mustahik. This integrated system is deliberately designed so that the distribution of religious social funds across Indonesia can be more transparent, accountable and well targeted.
Interestingly, the One Data ZIS-DSKL portal will later be directly synchronised with the national single socio-economic data to eradicate pockets of poverty. Thus, the distribution and utilisation of ZIS-DSKL can be integrated directly with national poverty data.
To strengthen implementation on the ground, the Ministry of Religious Affairs has also issued a Ministerial Decree as an official legal umbrella. Through this mechanism, all Amil Zakat Institutions will gain access to recipient data based on region and official welfare scale from the government. This scheme is certain to reduce the potential emergence of ‘double recipients’ who receive funds from several institutions at the same time.
One Data ZIS-DSKL is part of the government’s efforts to ensure that the distribution and utilisation of zakat is truly well targeted. Through this scheme, we can reduce the accumulation of aid or double distribution to individuals. In addition, the system is expected to accelerate the empowerment of mustahik so that their economic status improves to become munfik, and even transform into independent muzaki.