PETALING JAYA, Feb 28 — The standardisation of “zakat fitrah” (personal tithe) rates based on rice grades will be decided by state fatwa committees and Islamic religious councils, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Mohd Na’im Mokhtar.
He said this follows recent findings of imported rice mixed with local white rice.
The minister was speaking to reporters after the presentation of a Malaysia Book Of Records certificate here last night.
On Wednesday, it was reported the Biotechnology and Nanotechnology Research Centre of the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute found about 50 per cent of the 5,000 samples of imported rice seized by the authorities were mixed with local white rice.
A check on the Federal Territories’ Mufti Office portal found that the rate set for zakat fitrah in Malaysia is based on decisions made during the 57th National Muzakarah Committee on June 10, 2003.
The decision is that the amount for zakat fitrah for states in Peninsular Malaysia is according to the local price of Bernas Super Tempatan Grade A rice according to the measurement of one Baghdad gantang, equivalent to 2.6kg.
For Sabah and Sarawak, it is 2.7 kg.
— Bernama
