Melaka: The zakat fitrah (personal tithe) rate in Melaka for this year has been set between RM7 and RM22 per individual, according to Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh. He stated that the rates are determined based on the type of rice consumed: RM7 for Super Special Tempatan, RM15 for Super Special Import, and RM22 for basmati rice. These rates were established with the agreement of the Melaka Fatwa Committee during its fourth meeting this year.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the meeting also determined that one Baghdad bushel, equivalent to 2.6 kilogrammes of Super Special Tempatan (Grade A) rice, would be used as the benchmark for setting the three zakat fitrah rates. Chief Minister Ab Rauf announced this during his speech at the opening of the Melaka Islamic Religious Agencies’ Assembly 2025, held at the Masjid Al-Azim auditorium in Bukit Palah.

Also in attendance at the assembly were the State Education, Higher Education, and Religious Affairs Committee chairman Datuk Rahmad Mariman and the State Mufti Datuk Abdul Halim Tawil. In his address, Ab Rauf also highlighted that the state government has allocated RM85.3 million under Budget 2025 to support the ongoing management and development of Islamic religious affairs in Melaka.

The allocation is intended for various purposes, including emoluments for civil servants, allowances for Quran and Fardhu Ain (KAFA) teachers, operational costs for the state Islamic Religious Department (JAIM) kindergartens, and halal certification management. It also covers student education and the development of schools, mosques, and surau. Additionally, the state government has set aside RM5.1 million for the school preparation assistance scheme to support underprivileged students, the needy, and Muslim converts, as well as RM7.52 million for the Ramadan and Syawal preparation assistance schemes.