Melaka: Zakat collections in Melaka declined 2.32 per cent to RM62.54 million during the period from Jan 1 to May 31 this year, compared with RM64.02 million in the corresponding period last year.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Zakat Melaka stated that of the total amount, zakat on wealth (zakat harta) contributed RM55.06 million, while zakat fitrah collections stood at RM7.48 million. Under zakat on wealth, income zakat was collected at RM32.99 million, followed by savings zakat at RM11.12 million, business zakat at RM8.8 million, gold and silver zakat at RM1.71 million, zakat on shares at RM408,053.66, agricultural zakat at RM20,549.82, and livestock zakat at RM14,729.

The statement also noted an increase in the number of wealth zakat payers to 44,824 during the first five months of this year, compared with 44,251 in the same period last year. However, the number of zakat fitrah payers declined by 1.16 per cent to 676,047 this year, compared with 683,982 last year.

The information was issued after a Business Zakat Handover Ceremony by corporate agencies. At the ceremony, Yang Dipertua Negeri Melaka Tun Mohd Ali Rustam represented Zakat Melaka to receive business zakat from 16 corporate companies, involving a total contribution amounting to RM8.31 million.