Melaka: The Melaka government is set to increase its monthly food assistance scheme for asnaf and Muslim converts from RM250 to RM300, starting tomorrow. State Education, Higher Education, and Religious Affairs Committee chairman, Datuk Rahmad Mariman, announced that the aid provided by the Melaka Islamic Religious Council (MAIM) for hardcore poor recipients will remain at RM400 per month.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the monthly food assistance scheme is a key initiative by MAIM. Recipients can access food items using their identity cards at 74 designated MAIM food supplier panels across Melaka. As of June 24, the scheme supports 7,810 individuals, including 112 from the hardcore poor category and 7,698 from the poor group. The decision to increase the aid rate responds to the rising cost of essential goods, which has affected the value of items provided to asnaf. The scheme had not seen a rate revision in recent years.

In addition to the food aid increase, other assistance schemes have also seen adjustments. The one-time primary school fee aid for asnaf children has increased from RM70 to RM100. Cash assistance for Muslim converts has risen from RM200 to RM300, with new converts now automatically receiving RM300, up from RM200.

Meanwhile, Melaka recorded a zakat collection of RM141.37 million last year, with zakat distribution to asnaf under MAIM totaling RM151.22 million. For this year, the zakat allocation is projected at RM33.68 million, an increase of RM4.38 million or 15% compared to last year’s allocation of RM29.3 million.

MAIM remains committed to supporting the welfare of the asnaf community in Melaka and plans to continue enhancing the zakat distribution system. Zakat contributors in the state are encouraged to maintain their trust and support in MAIM to boost zakat collection and uplift the asnaf group in the state.