Jais cracks down on unauthorised zakat collectors, warns of legal action Posted on 24/11/2024 SHAH ALAM, Nov 23 — The Selangor Islamic Religious Department (Jais) will take stern action against individuals or parties collecting zakat (tithe) in the state without credentials from the Selangor Islamic Religious Council (Mais). Jais director Datuk Mohd Shahzihan Ahmad said the department was aware of certain individuals and parties using mosques or surau to carry out infak programmes but labelling them as zakat. He said that such actions were an offence, and donations made with the intention of paying zakat would be invalid, not exempting the individual from their zakat obligation. “Following this, Jais has issued compliance guidelines and control measures for the collection of zakat, wakaf, and infak in mosques and surau across Selangor, through a circular dated Nov 11, 2024. “Mosque and surau administrators could face legal action for allowing zakat collection by individuals or parties without credentials from Mais,” he said in a statement today. Mohd Shahzihan said the action was in accordance with Section 37 of the Syariah Criminal Enactment (Selangor) 1995, which provides for a fine of no more than RM3,000, or a prison term of up to two years, or both, upon conviction. Meanwhile, he stated that as of September 2024, 71,000 poor and asnaf families were registered with the Selangor Zakat Board (LZS), with RM1.36 billion required to support them. “If zakat funds are collected and distributed in violation of regulations, it will not only lead to legal consequences but also cause leakages, hindering the continued spiritual and socioeconomic development of Muslims in Selangor,” he said. — Bernama News
Federal laws take precedence in Sarawak’s oil and gas dispute, experts assert (VIDEO) Posted on 21/11/2024 KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 20 — The federal government’s position on oil and gas (O&G) resources off Sarawak’s shores remains grounded in the Petroleum Development Act 1974 (PDA), which grants Petronas full ownership and exclusive rights to all petroleum resources in Malaysia, both onshore and offshore. This claim has come under… Read More
Dr Mahathir bristles over seeing ‘big Chinese characters’ all over KL Posted on 19/11/2024 KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 18 — Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad today complained of authorities’ inaction against businesses putting up signs in foreign languages instead of Malay. He said he observed this during a visit to the city during weekends, especially to its newer shopping malls. While he said… Read More
Debt-saddled Laos struggles to tame rampant inflation Posted on 17/11/2024 At a market in Vientiane, traders said business has never been slower, as families have seen their money’s value collapse since Covid-19. (EPA Images pic) VIENTIANE: Suffocating under a mountain of debt to China, communist Laos is struggling to tame rampant inflation, with food prices rising so sharply that a growing… Read More