Brunei Sultan calls for reforms in zakat governance during surprise visit
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah on Tuesday morning (July 8) made an unannounced visit to the Ministry of Religious Affairs (MoRA), where the monarch delivered a speech calling for a more efficient and accountable management of zakat, wakaf and Baitulmal affairs in Brunei Darussalam.
His Majesty highlighted the divine wisdom behind zakat, explaining that it is a mechanism in Islam that enables the wealthy to share their resources with the less fortunate — a concept that showcases Islam's guidance in financial stewardship.
The monarch expressed concern over delays in zakat disbursement, especially for the poor and indebted, and questioned the necessity of prolonged assessment periods that have reportedly caused applicants to wait months or even years.
His Majesty questioned, 'Is it not sufficient for officers from the zakat department to conduct field visits together with village heads to quickly assess the applicants' actual conditions?'
His Majesty also questioned the effectiveness of digital tools in zakat administration, encouraging the use of digital technology to streamline the evaluation and distribution process to make it 'efficient, fast, accurate and consistent'.
The ruler further pressed the department to address communication inefficiencies, which he identified as potential obstacles to achieving national goals, including a high quality of life for citizens as outlined in Brunei Vision 2035.
To strengthen institutional performance, His Majesty called for the formation of a steering committee to oversee zakat distribution and development of wakaf lands and Baitulmal assets. He advised that the committee should not be limited to religious scholars, but should also include professionals from entrepreneurship, private sectors and members of the National Welfare System.
The monarch also called for the adoption of good governance practices by the Zakat, Wakaf and Baitulmal Department (JUZWAB), along with regular updates on milestones achieved, and urged transparency and vigilance in zakat management to prevent exploitation or misappropriation.
Emphasising the importance of community outreach, His Majesty proposed regular public awareness campaigns — including TV advertisements and Friday sermons — to remind the public that zakat is an obligation, and that neglecting it is a grave sin.
'Zakat can lead its payer to paradise,' His Majesty said, adding that the lack of zakat collection may be due to a lack of public understanding, which the Ministry of Religious Affairs must address.
His Majesty also posed several key questions to the ministry and JUZWAB, requesting written responses. These include inquiries into the causes of zakat distribution delays, the criteria for determining zakat eligibility across different asnaf groups, and the frequency and efficiency of assessment meetings.
The monarch further questioned the existence of poverty statistics in the country and asked how many Bruneians are officially recognised as poor or destitute, as well as the effectiveness of empowerment programmes like PROPAZ in transforming zakat recipients into future zakat contributors.
His Majesty concluded by urging ministry officials to uphold the trust placed in them with sincerity and responsibility, reminding them that failure to properly distribute zakat is not only a breach of duty, but also a sin.
The visit ended with a Q&A session. - Borneo Bulletin/ANN
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