GOVT PLAN TO CUT TITHE FROM SALARIES STIRS CONTROVERSIES

by Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Feb 8 (Antara) - The government's plan to deduct 2.5 percent zakat (tithe) directly from the salaries of Muslim State Civil Apparatus (ASN) has triggered controversies.          Regulation on the plan is being discussed at the Ministry of Religious Affairs, but some quarters have suggested that the plan be postponed, as there are many questions that should be solved in the first place.          The government should build public or zakat payers' trust on institutions managing the tithe funds. It should also make it clear on how to calculate civil servants' income to decide on the portion which is subject to zakat. There are two aspects for the income to be subject to zakat, namely the nisab (minimum amount) and the haul (the length of one-year period) aspects.          After all, the portion of income that is subject to zakat is the income after deduction for (the zakat payers¿) basic needs, debts, and operational spending. This portion should meet the nisab and haul aspects before it could be categorized as subject to zakat.         "How could the government calculate the amount of income of ASN, after deduction for basic needs, debts, and work operation cost, and decide the portion that is subject to profession zakat," Saiful Jihad, academician of the University of Hasanuddin in Makassar, South Sulawesi, stated on Thursday.

ZAKAT CAN HELP EMPOWER PEOPLE AND ERADICATE POVERTY

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Aug 6 (Antara) - The end of the fasting month of Ramadan is a joyous time for the poor because they get 'zakat' from other Muslims.          Muslims are required to give alms, also known as zakat fitrah, to the poor at the end of the fasting month of Ramadan. At other times of the year, Muslims are required to give 'zakat mal' from their income.          Since 90 percent of Indonesia's population, which is approximately 240 million, are Muslims, alms have the potential to eradicate poverty. In fact, Indonesia can collect close to 217 trillion alms every year. Sadly, only one percent of this amount is collected on a yearly basis. Despite such low figures, the National Islamic Charity Board (Baznas) has been able to increase its zakat collection every year.          "Last year, Baznas managed to collect Rp2.7 trillion, an increase by 27 percent compared to 2011," said President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, after a meeting with the executives of Baznas recently.          Based on research conducted by Baznas, the Bogor-based Institute of Agriculture (IPB), and the Islamic Development Bank (IDB), Indonesia should be able to collect Rp217 trillion in the form of zakat this year.          According to Didin Hafidhuddin, Chairman of Baznas, his charity board was only able to collect Rp2.73 trillion last year. This year, it has increased its target to Rp3 trillion.          President Yudhoyono expressed hope that the alms programme of Baznas would help eradicate poverty and empower poor people.