DPR Deputy Speaker Appreciates Baznas' Zakat Management in Accelerating Poverty Alleviation
The Deputy Chairman of Commission VIII of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), Abidin Fikri, has expressed his appreciation for the performance of the National Zakat Agency (Baznas) RI in managing and distributing zakat accurately, providing tangible benefits to the community and supporting poverty alleviation in Indonesia.
He made these remarks following the reading of the recommendations from the Hearing Meeting (RDP) with Baznas RI and the Indonesian Waqf Board (BWI) at the Nusantara II Building of the DPR RI, Senayan Complex, Jakarta, on Monday (22/6).
“The DPR notes that Baznas’ work so far has been extraordinary in terms of distributing zakat from the Muslim community. It is truly gratifying that such distribution is well-targeted and provides significant help to the people,” said Abidin.
He stated that various programmes implemented by Baznas have provided real benefits to the public, ranging from educational scholarships, disaster management, and the renovation of uninhabitable houses to healthcare services.
According to Abidin, these various programmes serve as evidence that zakat can be a vital instrument in assisting the community and improving the welfare of the Ummah. Therefore, he hopes that the role of Baznas can continue to be strengthened through adequate regulatory support.
“We hope that with the upcoming legislative revisions, Baznas will obtain more robust authority, supported by excellent management. This will allow Baznas to work more optimally throughout Indonesia,” he said.
Furthermore, Abidin noted that as the country with the largest Muslim population in the world, Indonesia possesses great potential to utilise zakat as an instrument for strengthening the community’s economy and alleviating poverty. Consequently, he also invited all elements of society to work together in supporting the optimisation of zakat management in Indonesia.
“Zakat is an inseparable part of the lives of Muslims. We must strengthen one another, and since Indonesia is the Republic of Indonesia, these efforts must be supported by adequate regulation,” said Abidin.
“If regulations provide stronger authority to the institution through regulations created by the government and the DPR, I believe this will further maximise the role of Baznas in the effort to alleviate poverty in Indonesia,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of Baznas RI, Sodik Mudjahid, stated that following the Hearing Meeting with the DPR RI, Baznas RI will continue to conduct evaluative improvements to ensure that zakat management in the future is more effective and efficient.
“We have agreed to increase communication, improve performance, enhance collaboration, and also increase institutional capacity through digitalisation and various other innovations,” he said.
Sodik also expressed his appreciation to Commission VIII of the DPR RI for the support provided thus far. He noted that such support is crucial to ensuring that the implementation of Baznas’ priority programmes runs optimally and aligns with the President’s priority programmes.
“The essence is the eight strategic programmes and 13 priority programmes. All of this can only be realised if we receive support and oversight, especially from the DPR RI,” said Sodik.