'Rise up': PM calls on charity groups, zakat centres to help needy

CORONAVIRUS | Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin has called upon charity organisations and zakat collection centres around the country to "rise" and help Malaysians in the wake of the Covid-19 outbreak and movement control order (MCO).

In a televised address to the nation this afternoon, in which the premier announced the extension of the MCO to April 14, Muhyiddin said he hoped zakat collection centres will play a more “proactive” role, even in aiding those not previously listed as recipients.

“Help them. They may not be listed as zakat recipient before this, but in the current affected economy, they will be among those who qualify for zakat,” he said.

He added that he had, during today’s cabinet meeting, instructed Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department on religious affairs Zulkifli Mohamad Al-Bakri to mobilise the Zakat Collection Centre of the Federal Territories to identify those who qualify for aid.

The zakat collection centres in other states should do the same, he said.

Muhyiddin added: “I call upon all charity organisations in this country to rise to the occasion by helping the needy regardless of race and religion during this trying moment.

“The difficulties they are facing are unprecedented. And I believe all of you can do something meaningful to ease their burden.”

The initial duration of the MCO, which began on March 18, was to have ended on March 31.

However, the government decided to impose an additional two-week extension due to the expected continued rise in the number of coronavirus cases and deaths in the country.

To date, Malaysia had recorded 1,796 cases of Covid-19, including 17 deaths.

Up to 172 new cases were recorded today, marking it the 11th straight day with over a hundred daily recorded cases. There were a record 212 cases last Monday.

Meanwhile, of the 1,796 cases, 183 patients have fully recovered and been discharged. - Mkini