Since 3rd January of 2021, it was confirmed that a total of 9 districts in the state of Pahang, Malaysia have experienced floods resulting in 276 evacuation centers to be opened involving 26,439 victims and 7,135 families there.
In the spirit of brotherhood as well as an institution that takes care of the welfare of the ummah, the Lembaga Zakat Negeri Kedah, Malaysia (LZNK) through the Asnaf Care Project (asnafcare.com.my) took the responsibility in formulating several types of assistance that can be channeled to help and ease the Pahang State Government and Pahang State Council for Islamic Religion and Malay Customs (MUIP) in dealing with this tragedy.
This assistance also acts as a reply to Pahang State as previously when Kedah State was hit by a major and severe flood in 2017, His Majesty the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong (then the Sultan of Pahang) had granted a generous amount of RM30,000.00 to the (LZNK) in order to help the flood victims. So as Pahang suffered the same disaster this time, Kedah definitely will not remain silent and eventually feel affected by the disaster that hit Pahang.
A mission to send LZNK’s flood relief to the state of Pahang was held from 10th January 2021 to 12th January 2021 (Sunday to Tuesday).
The release of the convoy was completed by H.E. Dato’ Paduka Ammar bin Dato Shaikh Mahmood Naim (Kedah State Secretary cum Chairman of the LZNK) and witnessed by Sahibus Samahah Dato’ Paduka Sheikh Fadzil bin Haji Awang (Kedah State Mufti cum Member of the LZNK Board), H.E. Brigadier General (B) Dato’ Haji Najmi bin Haji Ahmad (Kedah State Exco for Religion, Education and Human Resources) and H.E. Hajah Halimaton Shaadiah binti Saad (Kedah State Exco for Women and Welfare).
Also present is the H.E Director of Kedah State of Malaysia Civil Defence Forces (APM), H.E Director of Kedah State Malaysian Welfare Department (JKM) and H.E. Deputy Director of Kedah State Department of Road Transport (JPJ).
The release ceremony began with a briefing by the APM’s officer and a prayer reciting by Sahibus Samahah Dato’ Paduka Sheikh Fadzil bin Haji Awang (Kedah State Mufti cum Member of the Kedah State Zakat Board).
This mission is also in collaboration with various parties, especially Kedah Zakat Friends Companies such as Malaysian Development Bank Berhad (BPMB), Mudim Zakaria Food Industries Sdn Bhd (MUDIM), QSR Brands (M) Holdings Berhad and others with the total value of assistance is approximately RM241,000.00.
This assistance is to show the solidarity of LZNK in carrying out humanitarian missions beyond the border of a state to help those affected by this flood disaster in the state of Pahang.
The convoy with a total of 16 vehicles of various types were escorted by the Malaysian Civil Defense Force (APM) and the Kedah Road Transport Department (JPJ) with a load of 18,000 packs of rice equivalent to 90,000 kilograms of rice, 1000 bottles of Mudim’s Soy Sauce and 1000 bottles of Mudim Chilli Sauce together with other types of food and medical items.
For any public who wants to contribute and be part of the assistance, can visit https://asnafcare.com.my. Hopefully this contribution and assistance can further strengthen the brotherhood between the state and help ease the burden of those in need.
DEPUTY SECRETARY GENERAL OF WORLD ZAKAT FORUM (EAST ASIA, SOUTHEAST ASIA & AUSTRALIA)
Lembaga Zakat Negeri Kedah, Malaysia
