Abang Shibli cuts the ribbon to officially mark ‘Majma Raya Fest’ at Majma Mall in Kuching. — Photo by Muhammad Rais Sanusi
KUCHING: Tabung Baitulmal Sarawak (TBS) is working together with Regional Islamic Council Southeast Asia Pacific (Ricseap) on helping Hong Kong and Taiwan form their own Islamic welfare and community funds.
TBS general manager Datu Abang Mohd Shibli Abang Mohd Nailie said Ricseap had asked TBS to do a presentation on the methods used in managing and administrating ‘zakat’ (tithe).
“We have been asked to help the two countries, who have Muslim minority group, so that they too could have their own ‘Tabung Baitulmal’.
“I am also directly involved with the Islamic councils of Hong Kong, Taiwan, Australia and New Zealand to explain about zakat management and administration methods for Muslims so that they can implement it as well. However, it is up to them to follow our system in collecting, distributing and administrating the zakat monies,” he told the media at the launch of ‘Majma Raya Fest’ at Majma Mall (formerly known as Sarawak Islamic Complex) here yesterday.
Asked if TBS could be regarded as the best ‘Baitulmal’ administration in the country to the extent that it had been chosen by Hong Kong and Taiwan as the model, Abang Shibli simply said the methods practised by TBS had been strongly accepted and supported by Muslims in the state.
“We are satisfied with our management and if it could be implemented in Muslim-minority countries, then our methods have been correct all this while. At the same time, we are thankful to Sarawakian Muslims who have been supporting and so accepting of our system.”
At a recent distribution of ‘bubur lambuk’ here, Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg said TBS had gotten the attention of the Muslim community in Hong Kong and Taiwan.
“The way we run our Baitumal is already exemplary. Hong Kong and Taiwan, where the Muslim populations are small, have asked us to help them set up (Tabung Baitulmal). This is how we work and show people what Islam is,” Abang Johari said.
On another matter, Abang Shibli said small businesses and micro-entrepreneurs could grab trading lots at Majma Mall throughout the ‘Majma Raya Fest’ campaign, in helping them overcome the problem of finding places for rent to run their business. “This is a win-win situation, as the complex gets to be fully utilised. Our premises is located right in the middle of the city – so why not use this to let small businesses and traders run their business and earn ‘halal’ (blessed) income,” he said, adding that the campaign aimed to gather all the entrepreneurs in one place and at the same time, to attract more visitors to the mall.
“Depending on the response, we may consider to keep it running and making it into an uptown market, just like those at Kuching Civic Center, Samariang Giant Hypermarket or Danau Kota in Kuala Lumpur.”
The ‘Majma Raya Fest’ runs till July 5, with many Hari Raya offerings of cookies, headscarves, Baju Kurung, bags and snacks.