Kuala lumpur: The Federal Territory Islamic Religious Council (MAIWP) has allocated RM1.6 billion to strengthen welfare, education, and community development initiatives for Muslims in the Federal Territories under the MAIWP Budget 2026. Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na’im Mokhtar emphasized that MAIWP is focusing on two main areas of expenditure for asnaf groups: their welfare and empowerment, and the enhancement of educational opportunities for the ummah, involving a total of RM1.354 billion.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, RM1.157 billion has been allocated for the welfare and empowerment of asnaf, covering various forms of assistance such as welfare, protection, medical support, ummah development, asnaf management, wakalah, and the Amil zakat division. Meanwhile, RM197.22 million has been set aside for education enhancement, benefiting educational clusters as well as educational and welfare institutions.
Datuk Dr Mohd Na’im Mokhtar stated that the MAIWP Budget 2026 emphasizes improving the well-being of asnaf by addressing their basic needs and implementing holistic development programs to enhance their living standards both socially and spiritually. He also highlighted MAIWP’s commitment to prioritizing the education of asnaf children, from early years to university level, to help them realize their potential and become agents of change for their families.
The budget includes RM250.7 million for operating expenditure, which encompasses MAIWP’s management and operational activities, and RM73.65 million earmarked for development, including property development, asset acquisition, and investments that benefit the ummah. The budget, themed ‘Kesejahteraan Ummah’ (Well-being of the Ummah), was drafted with prudence and realism to ensure effective use of funds without reducing any existing programs or initiatives.
The allocation considers current economic conditions and urban poverty in the Federal Territories, which remains a key concern for MAIWP. Dr Mohd Na’im noted that household incomes are not keeping pace with rising living costs, significantly affecting the well-being of communities, particularly asnaf groups in the Federal Territories.
MAIWP’s revenue for 2026 is estimated at RM1.7 billion, marking a 9 percent increase compared to this year’s RM1.5 billion. The council aims to collect RM1.37 billion in zakat next year, augmented by income from rentals, tuition fees, investments, and grants from the Ministry of Finance.