In his keynote address at the launch of Wakaf Breakfast Talk, with the theme ‘Civil Servants Catalyst for Wakaf Prosperity’ conducted virtually today, he said civil servants could make endowments through salary deductions to either the Malaysian Wakaf Foundation (YWM) or the Islamic Religious Councils in their respective states.

Wakaf is different from zakat (tithe), he said, adding that the wakaf fund is not only distributed to the Muslim community, but to all levels of society regardless of religion and race.

According to Zuki, a total of 6,616 civil servants have made endowments from their incomes through salary deductions as at July 25 this year.

In expressing his hope for more civil servants to make cash endowments, he said wakaf is not only focused on social development, but also as one of the important elements in helping the country’s economic development.

“There is no need to wait until you have property such as a house or land to donate for wakaf, endowment is now made easier by giving cash,” he said.

Zuki said he had approved General Circular No. 1 Year 2020 on Procedure for the Implementation of Cash Wakaf Contribution through Voluntary Salary Deduction for Public Officers serving in the Federal Territory and the states on Dec 20 last year.

He said Section 44 (11D) of the Income Tax Act 1967 also encouraged civil servants to make endowments through tax deductions, as well as in cash form through salary deductions.

Citing the implementation of projects under the environment and water ministry’s Malaysian Water Services Special Cash Endowment Fund or ‘Wakaf Air’ in six states, he said they benefited 2,880 residents.

The government, he said, also played an important role in wakaf development through the allocation of funds for the development of wakaf assets, whereby a total allocation of RM299.33 million was made under the Ninth Malaysia Plan (9MP) to the 11MP for the purpose, involving the development of 18 high impact projects on wakaf land in several states.