President launches donation drive

JAKARTA: President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono launched on Wednesday the National Movement of Muslim Donations, calling on all Muslims to fulfill their religious obligation to help the less fortunate.

"The movement is aimed at purifying our wealth. But this has nothing to do with investigations (into graft cases)," Susilo said during a ceremony at the State Palace.

A study by Syarif Hidayatulah State Islamic University found that Indonesian Muslims privately donate up to Rp 19.3 trillion (US$1.9 billion) annually.

At the same time, government-sanctioned alms collection bodies raise less than Rp 300 billion a year, as most people prefer to donate directly to the needy, said the head of the National Alms Agency, Didin Hafifuddin.

Paying alms is mandatory for Muslims during Idul Fitri. -- JP