HALO JEPARA- Deputy Chairman of Commission VIII DPR RI H Abdul Wachid stated the importance of strengthening the National Zakat Amil Agency (Baznas). This people’s representative from the Gerindra Party believes that strengthening Baznas will have a positive impact on the achievement of zakat, infaq and alms (ZIS), the potential of which could reach IDR 400 trillion a year.
According to him, if this achievement can be achieved, it will be maximized to accelerate efforts to eradicate poverty and food security which is a priority program for President Prabowo Subianto’s government.
This was conveyed by Deputy Chairman of Commission VIII DPR RI H Abdul Wachid during the launch of the Baznas Berkah Barokah Farm Livestock Center Program which was held in Astana Hinggil, Somosari Village, Batealit District, Jepara Regency, Friday (21/2/2025).
The livestock center managed by the Berkah Barokah Farm Livestock Group is the result of a collaboration between BAZNAS RI, BAZNAS Jepara Regency and the Chamim Abdul Rasyid Foundation. This livestock center with 15 beneficiaries is the 39th of the 43 BAZNAS Livestock Centers spread throughout Indonesia.
Present at this activity were the Chairman of Baznas RI Professor Noor Ahmad, the Chairman of BAZNAS RI for Distribution and Utilization Saidah Sakwan, the Chairman of Baznas Central Java KH Ahmad Darodji, the Regent of Jepara Witiarso Utomo who was represented by the Head of the People’s Welfare Section Agus Bambang Lelono, the Chairman of Baznas Jepara Sholih and other elements.
Abdul Wachid said that currently the zakat, infaq and alms (ZIS) that Baznas can collect in a year is around IDR 50 trillion. In fact, based on the calculations of Commission VIII, which is a working partner of Baznas, the potential could reach IDR 300 trillion – IDR 400 trillion.
According to him, there are a number of steps that must be taken so that the potential for zakat amounting to hundreds of trillions can be achieved. One of them is the revision of Law (UU) Number 23 of 2011 concerning Zakat Management. This law also regulates the matter of BAZNAS.
Apart from that, collecting zakat must also involve companies. So far, zakat from corporations in Indonesia has not been maximized.
“The revision of the Zakat Management Law is the door to strengthening Baznas. Corporations must also be involved in zakat matters,” said the people’s representative from the Gerindra Party.
According to him, if optimization of zakat can be carried out, it will contribute to efforts to eradicate poverty, which is one of the priority programs of the Prabowo Subianto government.
Abdul Wachid said that the Ministry of Social Affairs’ budget of IDR 76 trillion was not enough to eradicate poverty. So far, the budget has not been able to fully reach the poor in Indonesia.
Therefore, optimizing zakat must be carried out to accelerate efforts to eradicate poverty in Indonesia.
“We will convey it to the President of the Republic of Indonesia. If IDR 400 trillion can be collected, the positive impact will definitely be extraordinary,” said this member of the DPR from Jepara.
Meanwhile, Chairman of Baznas RI Noor Ahmad appreciated the initiative of the Deputy Chairman of Commission VIII DPR RI. Its staff are committed to carrying out various efforts to eradicate poverty.
Not only that, Baznas is also ready to support the free nutritious meal program which is the mainstay program of the Prabowo – Gibran government.
“Baznas is very ready to be involved. We have many goat breeding centers, there are also cows and even fish,” he said.
According to him, Baznas will increase the number of goat, cow or fish livestock centers. This year, the party targets to have around 100 livestock centers throughout Indonesia.
“The benefits of livestock halls are many. Starting from generating village strength, opening employment opportunities, strengthening harmony, to encouraging creativity in residents. That’s why we will continue to increase them,” he said. (*)
