RICE ‘ATMs’ A VERY GOOD FIRST STEP TO HELP THE POOR – SO LONG AS ABUSE IS CHECKED: FT ISLAMIC AUTHORITY TO INSTALL RICE-DISPENSING MACHINES AT 85 MOSQUES

THE Federal Territories Islamic Religious Department (Jawi) hopes to install rice dispensing machines at 85 mosques in the Federal Territory to facilitate its 23,000 asnaf, or tithe recipients, to collect free rice.

Jawi director Mohd Ajib Ismail said the proposal to install automated teller-like machines (ATM) at mosques would be discussed at a conference between the Federal Territories Mosque committees next month.

“The first rice ATM machine was installed at Al-Akram Mosque, Datuk Keramat tonight,” he said after launching the machine at the mosque in Kuala Lumpur.

The ATM machine, costing RM19,000, is the first in the country and has two functions, namely to dispence rice in the desired quantity, and has a donation box to receive funds from the public.

“Corporate bodies with budget for corporate social responsibility programmes are welcome to become strategic partners of mosques and Jawi,” he added.

At the event, 10 asnaf in the Datuk Keramat area received a smart card for the ATM machines, enabling them to receive 2kg of rice a week.

– Bernama