Kuala lumpur: Yayasan Pembangunan Ekonomi Islam Malaysia (YAPEIM) has contributed RM500,000 as business capital assistance to support asnaf (tithe recipient) entrepreneurs under the SME Bank iTEKAD ISHRAF 4.0 programme. Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Dr Zulkifli Hasan stated that the contribution mirrors the ongoing commitment of religious agencies to foster a sustainable Islamic economic ecosystem.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Dr Zulkifli highlighted the positive outcomes of the programme, noting the significant success achieved by asnaf entrepreneurs who have generated substantial incomes. Recent data indicates that around 420 asnaf entrepreneurs across the nation have benefited from the current cohort of the iTEKAD ISHRAF programme. Some participants have reached monthly incomes ranging from RM60,000 to RM70,000 and have recorded annual sales up to RM1.5 million.
The announcement was made at the SME Bank iTEKAD ISHRAF 4.0 Graduation Ceremony, attended by Deputy Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Datuk Mohamad Alamin and SME Bank chairman Zulkiflee Hashim. Mohamad stated that the Ministry of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives remains committed to strengthening the micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSME) ecosystem through initiatives and assistance programmes provided by SME Bank, TEKUN Nasional, Bank Rakyat, Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia (AIM), UDA Holdings Berhad, and the National Entrepreneurship Institute (INSKEN).
He further mentioned that by April, the PowerUp 10K initiative had distributed more than RM4 billion to over 154,000 MSMEs nationwide. This initiative is backed by RM100 million allocated for entrepreneur capacity-building programmes. To enhance accessibility, the government plans to launch the Empower Malaysian Businesses Portal in June 2026 as a comprehensive platform for entrepreneur support.
The iTEKAD ISHRAF programme, spearheaded by Bank Negara Malaysia and implemented by SME Bank, aims to empower asnaf entrepreneurs through training, mentoring, and start-up capital support, ultimately enhancing their economic status. The programme also endeavors to assist participants in transitioning from zakat recipients to zakat contributors, demonstrating the role of Islamic social finance in cultivating a resilient and sustainable entrepreneurial community.