Taib (fifth left) presenting ‘Wakaf’ certificate to one of the recipients. From second left are Abang Mohammad Shibli, Dr Abdul Rahman, Misnu, Lee (partly hidden) and Kipli.
Taib (fourth right) handing over the ‘Wakaf Ilmu’ from Ahmad Lai (third right) to UITM Sarawak rector Prof. Datuk Dr Jamil Hamali while others look on.
MIRI: Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud wants Islamic organisations to identify investment opportunities for ‘Wakaf’ to generate revenue for the needy.
The Head of State made this suggestion at the closing ceremony of ‘Sarawak Wakaf Seminar 2017’ at Miri Islamic Complex yesterday which was attended by more than 500 people from the state and also Brunei.
‘Wakaf’ is defined as a ‘perpetual dedication of property by a person, a group or a body through a will, donation or directive – meant for religious and charitable purposes.
“I believe the wealth collected under the concept of ‘Wakaf’ will increase in the future and it is important to learn where there is a capital investment opportunity that can increase the value of ‘Wakaf’.
“The concept of ‘Wakaf’ has not yet been broadly implemented enough according to the economy and our ability does not only depend on one or two parties responsible for the Islamic affairs, but it is wider than that, which is knowing the ones who can provide services and profits to those in need of assistance in accordance with the purpose of ‘Wakaf’,” he said,
At the same time, he recommended that Sarawak Islamic Council (MIS) find a way to gather the country’s economic scholars to enlighten the people about the opportunity to invest in more secure and profitable activities under the concept of ‘Wakaf’.
“We should also try to improve the way our management system deals with ‘Wakaf’ properties and if we can raise our awareness on ‘Wakaf’ and investment opportunities to empower our concept of ‘Wakaf’ from now, I believe five years more we can review whether the steps we took have maximum advantage and further find new ways that can benefit our Ummah,” he said, adding all this requires cooperation from non-Muslims as the economy does not run according to the flow of one race only.
“Economy is interdependent and cooperation from all is very important to develop our society,” he said.
Meanwhile, according to MIS president Datu Misnu Taha, several new initiatives have been established for the management of ‘Wakaf’ in Sarawak such as the ‘Skim Wakaf Semasa’ (Current Wakaf Scheme), Education Wakaf, Health Wakaf, Commercial Wakaf, Development Wakaf, Welfare Wakaf and Cash Wakaf.
A total of 261 lots over 820 acres of land across the state have been handed over for ‘Wakaf’, while another 125 lots over 55 acres of land are still under the documentation process.
At the same event, Taib presented ‘Wakaf’ certificates to Penghulu Ahmad Raman, Nasil Usin, Joraini Tamin, Ketua Kaum Ali Yaman Jais and Asa Jalludin for their land ‘wakaf’ while a total of RM16,500 was given for Universiti Teknologi Mara Sarawak (UiTM) ‘Wakaf Ilmu’ donated by Sibuti MP Datuk Ahmad Lai (RM5,000), Yaakub Arbi (RM5,000), Diana Ibrahim (RM5,000), Johari Mathayu (RM1,000) and Sabri Sapawi (RM500).
Meanwhile, Sarawak Baitulmal Fund (TBS) launched the ‘Jejak Asnaf’ application for android users to track potential eligible ‘asnaf’ (one who has neither material possessions nor means of livelihood) to receive TBS assistance in Sarawak.
Assistant Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Datuk Lee Kim Shin, Mulu assemblyman Datuk Gerawat Gala, Sibuti MP Datuk Ahmad Lai Bujang, Assistant Minister of Rural Electricity Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi, TBS general manager Datu Abang Mohammad Shibli Abang Mohammad Nailie and Sarawak Mufti Datu Kipli Yassin were present.