Response to Written Question PT18

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YANG BERHORMAT DAYANG HAJAH ROSMAWATTY BINTI HAJI ABDUL MUMIN

QUESTION:

Yang Berhormat Dayang Hajah Rosmawatty binti Haji Abdul Mumin asks the MINISTER OF RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS to state the results of evaluations and changes made following discussions in the 2023 MMN session and how PROPAZ can be enhanced to ensure the objectives of assisting asnaf are more effectively achieved. The PROPAZ program aims to empower zakat recipients to become self-reliant and rise out of poverty. The effectiveness of the program needs to be assessed for improvements while considering best practices from other countries.

YANG BERHORMAT MENTERI HAL EHWAL UGAMA

ANSWER:

The Zakat, Endowment and Baitulmal Affairs Department (JUZWAB), through the Asnaf Zakat Empowerment Program (PROPAZ), continuously enhances the utilization and distribution of zakat funds by empowering the self-capacity of the asnaf poor and encouraging them to become self-reliant and make an effort. Such productive zakat distribution is a long-term investment oriented towards providing knowledge and skills in technical and vocational fields through resilient and comprehensive programs, making them trained and skilled in their chosen fields within the set program duration.

Post-establishment of JUZWAB, skill-based training programs such as the PROPAZ-PBB Program (Youth Development Centre); PROPAZ-Apprentice Program; Self-Development Program; and a program organized by BIBD, namely BIBD SEEDS, are still ongoing. Meanwhile, the PROPAZ-Azzira’ah Program and the PROPAZ-IKB Program (Institute of Baitulmal Skills, MAIWP Kuala Lumpur) are being updated in training format and evaluated for effectiveness and participation objectives. In line with the direction of PROPAZ, the programs not only aim to create trained and skilled zakat recipients but also prioritize programs embedded with religious guidance courses and personal development to drive them to be self-reliant or at least foster positive awareness of the obligation to work and generate income.

Alhamdulillah, one of the newly introduced resilient programs by JUZWAB through PROPAZ is the Asnaf Zakat Entrepreneurship Skills Program, a collaborative program with Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam (BIBD). This program is conducted with BIBD at the BIBD Excellence and Empowerment Incubator and also at the Asnaf Skills Centre, currently undergoing building renovations.

This new program is implemented through 03 training modules based on work-based learning concepts. The First Module requires participants to undergo a Workshop Training Module for three (3) months, providing them with basic entrepreneurial knowledge and skills such as Business Startups, Business Plans, Entrepreneurship Clinics, Cash Flow, Product Formation and Branding, Sales & Testing. During this training phase, they will be equipped with training equipment according to the skill field offered at the Asnaf Skills Centre.

Subsequently, Asnaf Participants will follow the Coaching Training Module for another three (03) months for practical training, i.e., doing business/entrepreneurship, marketing and transactions with Mentorship services at the Asnaf Skills Centre. After completing the training, participants will undergo the Evaluation module to assess the level of success and effectiveness of the training and to ensure their efforts to become asnaf entrepreneurs do not stop mid-way, and the objective of lifting asnaf participants out of the poverty cycle becomes a reality. At this stage, trained and skilled entrepreneurs will be considered for the awarding of working capital distribution not exceeding BND20k from the Zakat Fund for the Poor and Destitute Section.

Alhamdulillah, the Asnaf Entrepreneurship Program commenced on February 20, 2025, with a Bootcamp Program, which is a screening stage and intensive training for six (6) days to 20 asnaf participants, exposing them to the business ecosystem and Islamic economy as well as self-motivation to be committed to following the training program. Throughout the program, participants will receive various facilities such as training allowances, transportation, meals, accommodation (if necessary), and skill equipment/tools during the training.

We hope that this Joint Program with BIBD will enable more Asnaf to move out of the poverty cycle through entrepreneurship.