[Analysis of Zakat Application Screening Procedures in Selected States in Malaysia] Analisis Prosedur Saringan Permohonan Zakat di Negeri-Negeri Terpilih di Malaysia

Abstract

The existence of cases of fraud in the application for zakat assistance is due to the community who want to take advantage through falsification of documents and qualifications. This issue can cause zakat fund assistance to fall into the hands of those who are not eligible, thus denying the asnaf who are more entitled not to receiving their rights. The question that can be raised is, are there any specific policies and procedures related to the screening process and selection of asnaf? Is there a policy or law that regulates the screening process in ensuring the validity of the applicant as a qualified asnaf? What is the practice and approach of the state zakat institutions to ensure the screening and monitoring process to determine the authenticity status of the asnaf? By sampling the administration of zakat in five selected states, namely Kedah, Penang, Perak, Selangor and Negeri Sembilan, the study found that the screening procedure is the most important step in ensuring that each asnaf is truly eligible to receive zakat. In addition, the criteria and eligibility as a zakat applicant can be identified more systematically without the occurrence of dropouts or room for fraudulent eligibility. Specific and orderly procedures in the asnaf eligibility screening process are also able to provide added value in the framework of the transformation of the governance of zakat institutions in Malaysia, especially in the aspect of distribution of zakat funds to asnaf as enshrined in the Qur’an.

Wujudnya kes-kes penipuan dalam permohonan bantuan zakat adalah disebabkan terdapat kalangan masyarakat yang mahu mengambil kesempatan melalui pemalsuan dokumen dan kelayakan. Isu ini boleh menyebabkan bantuan dana zakat jatuh ke tangan orang yang tidak layak, sekaligus menafikan golongan asnaf yang lebih berhak tidak menerima haknya. Persoalan yang boleh ditimbulkan ialah, adakah wujud polisi dan prosedur khusus berkaitan proses saringan dan pemilihan asnaf? Apakah wujud polisi atau undang-undang yang mengawalselia proses saringan dalam memastikan kesahihan pemohon adalah asnaf yang layak? Bagaimana amalan dan pendekatan institusi zakat negeri-negeri bagi memastikan proses saringan dan pemantauan bagi menentukan status keaslian asnaf? Dengan menjadikan sampel pentadbiran zakat di lima buah negeri terpilih iaitu negeri Kedah, Pulau Pinang, Perak, Selangor dan Negeri Sembilan, kajian mendapati prosedur saringan merupakan langkah terpenting dalam memastikan setiap asnaf yang benar-benar layak menerima zakat. Di samping itu, kriteria dan kelayakan sebagai pemohon zakat dapat dikenal pasti secara lebih sistematik tanpa berlaku keciciran atau ruang penipuan kelayakan. Prosedur khusus dan teratur dalam proses saringan kelayakan asnaf juga mampu memberi nilai tambah dalam kerangka transformasi tadbir urus institusi zakat di Malaysia khususnya dalam aspek agihan dana zakat kepada asnaf sebagaimana yang telah termaktub di dalam al-Qur’an.