DPR Appreciates Baznas' Role in Poverty Alleviation Through Zakat Management

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Deputy Chairman of Commission VIII of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), Abidin Fikri, has expressed appreciation for the National Amil Zakat Agency (Baznas) RI in managing and distributing zakat with precise targeting, thereby providing real benefits to the community and supporting poverty alleviation in Indonesia. “The DPR observes that Baznas’ work has been extraordinary in distributing zakat from the Muslim community. It is very encouraging that the distribution is on target and greatly assists the community,” Abidin said in a statement in Jakarta on Wednesday. Abidin noted that various Baznas programmes have delivered tangible benefits to the community, including educational scholarships, disaster management, renovation of uninhabitable houses, and healthcare. “We hope that with the upcoming revision of the law, Baznas will gain more adequate authority, supported by excellent management. Thus, Baznas can work more optimally throughout Indonesia,” he said. As the country with the world’s largest Muslim population, Abidin continued, Indonesia has great potential to make zakat an instrument for strengthening the people’s economy and alleviating poverty. Therefore, he invited all elements of society to jointly support the optimisation of zakat management in Indonesia. “Zakat is an inseparable part of the life of the Muslim community. We must strengthen each other, and of course because Indonesia is the Republic of Indonesia, this effort needs to be supported by adequate regulations,” he said. If the regulations provide stronger authority to the institution through policies made by the government and the DPR, “I think this will further maximise Baznas’ role in alleviating poverty in Indonesia,” said Abidin. Responding to this, Chairman of Baznas RI Sodik Mudjahid said that following a hearing with the DPR RI on Monday (22/6), Baznas RI will continue to conduct improvement evaluations so that future zakat management is more effective and efficient. He expressed appreciation to Commission VIII of the DPR RI for the support provided so far. According to him, this support is important to ensure the implementation of Baznas’ priority programmes runs optimally and aligns with the President’s priority programmes. “The essence is eight strategic programmes and 13 priority programmes. All of this will be realised if we receive support and supervision, especially from the DPR RI,” said Sodik Mudjahid.