His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam on Monday called for immediate reforms to the management of zakat in the Sultanate, ordering responsible agencies to draw up clear plans, targets and effective monitoring mechanisms with tangible results to be achieved within four months.
His Majesty made the call during an unscheduled visit to the Zakat, Waqaf and Baitulmal Management Department (JUZWAB) at the Ministry of Religious Affairs, where the monarch expressed serious concern over persistent weaknesses in zakat administration, including financial governance shortcomings, delayed assistance to asnaf, alleged misconduct and the limited success of programmes aimed at helping recipients become self-reliant.
His Majesty said he had specifically invited the Brunei Islamic Religious Council (MUIB) members to the meeting in view of the council’s role as the statutory body directly responsible for administering and managing zakat, waqaf and Baitulmal affairs in the country.
The monarch noted that he had consented to the establishment of the Zakat, Waqaf and Baitulmal Management Department (JUZWAB) as a full-fledged department under the Ministry of Religious Affairs, with the expectation that it would be able to focus more effectively on handling and managing zakat applicants.
Despite this, His Majesty said it was disappointing that complaints regarding shortcomings in zakat management continued to reach him.
His Majesty said he viewed the issues raised in complaint letters and audit reports seriously, adding that, as Ulil Amri, he had repeatedly issued advice, reminders and recommendations for improvements to zakat management for the benefit of the public.
The monarch expressed disappointment that these calls had received insufficient attention, likening the situation to “pouring water onto a taro leaf”.
His Majesty also highlighted weaknesses in financial governance and zakat administration, saying the problems should have been addressed much earlier by MUIB and the Ministry of Religious Affairs.
Of greater concern, the monarch said, were alleged cases of misconduct among personnel involved in zakat management that could amount to criminal breach of trust and abuse of power.
His Majesty warned that allowing such practices to continue could lead to more serious consequences.
Among the irregularities highlighted were fidyah collections reportedly kept in office drawers without receipts, statements or bank accounts, while receipt books for zakat on wealth could not be physically accounted for in the office.
His Majesty also cited zakat receipt books bearing duplicate serial numbers, with some reportedly printed at commercial establishments without proper controls.
“Why were matters such as these allowed to continue for so long?” the monarch questioned.
His Majesty also pointed to weaknesses in financial controls, including Zakat Fund financial statements and accounts that had not been properly maintained between 2013 and 2020.
The monarch questioned whether MUIB and the Ministry of Religious Affairs had been aware of the matter and whether it had been raised during MUIB meetings.
His Majesty also expressed concern over the performance of entrepreneurial initiatives under the Asnaf Zakat (PROPAZ) programme.
The monarch said only 244 asnaf had successfully become self-reliant after participating in PROPAZ since its introduction 17 years ago, equivalent to an average of around 15 recipients annually, compared to more than 14,000 poor and destitute asnaf.
His Majesty questioned whether the programmes offered under PROPAZ were sufficiently attractive to participants and why new approaches had not been introduced if existing initiatives were proving ineffective.
The monarch also questioned why cooperation with other parties had not been pursued if there was a lack of new ideas.
His Majesty stressed that the success of PROPAZ could contribute towards the government’s efforts to achieve the key objectives of Brunei Vision 2035.
The monarch emphasised that managing zakat is “not an ordinary administrative matter” but a religious trust, and called on JUZWAB to possess the skills and sensitivity appropriate to the responsibilities entrusted to it.
His Majesty urged those responsible to seek knowledge and cooperate with parties possessing the necessary expertise and competencies.
The monarch also called for technology to be fully utilised as a control mechanism to close loopholes that could result in leakages or irregularities in zakat management.
His Majesty said he did not want to hear of asnaf applications remaining pending for prolonged periods or assistance arriving late when methods and facilities to speed up the process were already available.
The monarch called for key performance indicators (KPIs) to be established to ensure accountability and the implementation of his directives.
His Majesty also stressed that MUIB and the Ministry of Religious Affairs must take a leading role in identifying and preventing irregularities.
“MUIB cannot merely act as an observer; it must be at the forefront,” His Majesty said, adding that responsibility for zakat affairs could not simply be handed over entirely to JUZWAB.
The monarch also raised concerns over moral and work ethics among officers and staff handling zakat matters, reiterating the importance of integrity, safeguarding the trust placed upon them and preventing improper practices that could affect MUIB’s progress and decision-making.
His Majesty questioned whether his previous reminders had been heard or simply ignored.
“I want change, and I want the results of that change to be seen immediately,” the monarch said.
His Majesty subsequently ordered MUIB, the Ministry of Religious Affairs and JUZWAB to restructure their strategies based on the issues raised during the meeting.
The monarch called on the agencies to utilise existing government machinery as well as work with the private sector to ensure that their responsibilities are properly fulfilled and the desired objectives and performance are achieved.
His Majesty ordered all responsible parties to prepare clear plans, action plans and targets as well as effective monitoring mechanisms, with tangible results to be demonstrated within four months.
The monarch concluded by making clear that as long as the issues remained unresolved, he would continue to personally deliberate on the matter whenever necessary. – Izah Azahari
SOURCE/AUTHOR : BORNEO BULLETIN/IZAH AZAHARI
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