Advice to Muslim disaster victims on getting help
Published on: Saturday, May 10, 2025
Published on: Sat, May 10, 2025
By: Hayati Dzulkifli Text Size: Dr Mohd Arifin posing with some of the aid recipients while Razali and others look on. Kota Kinabalu: Victims of natural disasters such as fires and floods in Sabah are encouraged to report such incidents promptly to Sabah Islamic Religious Council (Muis) and Perbadanan Baitulmal to ensure timely assistance. Sabah Science, Technology and Innovation Minister, Datuk Dr Mohd Arifin bin Mohd Arif, said Muis, through its Zakat division and Baitulmal, is prepared to extend aid to those affected especially through coordination with its local representatives throughout the State. He said the victims can also go to nearby Sabah Islamic Religious Affairs Department (Jheains) in their respective districts or head office. 'This is what we hope for – whenever tragedy strikes, inform us immediately. God willing, Muis through Zakat and Baitulmal, will provide the assistance. 'Across Sabah, whenever we receive reports from local areas about victims made homeless and house damaged because of fire and flood, Muis, Jheains and Baitulmal representatives including at its headquarters will take immediate action. We will do our utmost to ease the burden on the victims,' he said. Dr. Mohd Arifin who is in charge of Islamic religious affairs and authorities said this to reporters here on Thursday after handing over financial aid to 10 household heads who lost their two houses to fire at Kg Darau, few weeks ago. Each affected family received RM1,000 from Muis and RM300 from Baitulmal. Also present were Darau Gagasan Rakyat divisional head Datuk Razali Razi and Perbadanan Baitulmal Negeri Sabah (PBNS) Chairman Datuk Dr Omar Raisul As-Salam Syah bin Datuk Sulaiman Omar and its Chief Executive Officer Ismail bin Mohd Adnan, among others. To a question, Dr Mohd Arifin who is also in charge of education affairs in Sabah said Muis, through its Zakat and Fitrah Division (BZF), allocates approximately RM40 million annually to support education and provide disaster relief aid to the victims in the State. Out of the total, he said M25 million is channelled specifically into the Derma Siswa education aid program, with the remainder used for broader educational development, teachers, zakat aid, and other needs. This year, he said zakat collections are estimated to reach RM45 million and will be used for educational purposes and relief aid for natural disaster victims, among others. Dr Mohd Arifin said the funding forms part of Muis' broader commitment to uplifting communities through both structured learning support and responsive disaster relief. * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.
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