MELAKA: The Melaka Islamic Religious Council (MAIM) has spotlighted four significant challenges in the expansion and management of wakaf land, as revealed during a state legislative assembly meeting. These challenges, encompassing legal, financial, awareness, and management issues, are hindering the effective utilization and development of wakaf land in the region.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Datuk Rahmad Mariman, the State Education, Higher Education, and Religious Affairs Committee chairman, outlined that the first challenge relates to legal complications. Despite the existence of a specific wakaf enactment, the Waqf (State of Melaka) Enactment 2005, there are hurdles in enforcing jurisdiction provisions. These hurdles include difficulties in registering undocumented wakaf properties and issues related to taxation, land development, and enforcement.

The second challenge, as explained by Rahmad, involves financial constraints. MAIM lacks a dedicated fund for executing commercial development projects on wakaf land. The inability to transfer ownership or mortgage wakaf land for financing compels the council to rely on cash wakaf collections, which currently fall short of being adequate.

Discussing the third challenge, Rahmad pointed to the low awareness among industry players about the potential of wakaf land development. He emphasized that while wakaf is often viewed in a religious context, its integration into everyday life as a commercial asset for the Muslim community remains limited. MAIM serves as the sole trustee for these assets in Melaka.

Finally, Rahmad addressed the management-related issues, citing a lack of expertise in land management, insufficient staff, and limited external assistance as critical barriers. Wakaf matters are frequently perceived as religious affairs, which restricts access to necessary commercial development resources and expertise.