KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 21 (Bernama) -- The Federal Territories Islamic Religious Council (MAIWP) continues to ensure that zakat funds and corporate wakalah funds are effectively channelled to urban asnaf and homeless people in the capital through the MAIWP Homeless Outreach Programme Series 3/2026.
The programme, involving the National Welfare Foundation (YKN), NexG Berhad and individual wakalah contributors, provided RM21,000 worth of assistance to the Kuala Lumpur Homeless Transit Centre (PTGKL) and asnaf around Pudu Raya.
MAIWP chairman Datuk Syed Kamarulzaman Syed Kabeer said NexG Berhad contributed furniture and basic necessities, including beds and pillows, worth RM18,000 to improve the comfort of PTGKL residents.
Two individual wakalah contributors, Wan Ahmad Sanusi Mahmood and Zulkefli Mohd Johan, also contributed essential items worth RM3,000 to 30 asnaf and homeless people in Pudu Raya, he added.
“Efforts to address homelessness and urban poverty require integrated cooperation among government agencies, religious institutions, welfare organisations, the corporate sector, wakalah contributors and the community,” he told reporters after officiating at the programme here today, in the presence of YKN chief executive officer Nordina Haron and NexG Berhad Strategic Communications Department head Safia Zuleira Abu Hanifah.
Syed Kamarulzaman said the regular programme also demonstrated the effectiveness of zakat in assisting individuals who migrate to the capital from various states in search of a livelihood but face difficulties before securing permanent employment.
“For MAIWP, the true value of this programme lies not merely in the amount of the contribution, but in how far the assistance can provide comfort, ease the burden and rekindle hope among recipients,” he said.
Meanwhile, Nordina said PTGKL, which has been managed by YKN since 2016 under an initiative of the Federal Territories Department and Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL), currently houses about 70 residents, compared with its full capacity of 200 people at any one time.
“Since its establishment, we (PTGKL) have assisted more than 5,000 residents here by providing temporary accommodation, basic assistance and appropriate interventions,” she said.
Meanwhile, a resident who wished to be known only as Bob, 39, said the temporary accommodation had been a lifeline after his burger business declined due to rising raw material costs, leaving him unable to afford his house rent.
“The agency here really looks after our welfare and helps connect residents with employers who are willing to provide jobs,” said Bob, who is set to move out after securing a new job in Shah Alam, Selangor.
-- BERNAMA