"During Ramadhan last year, we had managed to collect some Rp2.5 trillion, and in 2019, we are upbeat of reaching the figure of some Rp10 trillion. In 2018, we were able to raise Rp8.1 trillion," Baznas President Director M. Arifin Purwakananta remarked here, Sunday.
In its attempts to achieve this target, Baznas has made steady efforts to innovate to offer services to the public obliged to pay alms.
"It is now easier to pay zakat than earlier, as people are not required to hand over cash to the Baznas office, but they can now transfer the money to the bank account," Purwakananta explained.
The Baznas president director elaborated that the people can also utilize finance company (fintech) services to distribute zakat since it is easier than giving zakat in cash or transferring to bank accounts.
"We are collaborating with online stores, including Shopee, Tokopedia, and Bukalapak, as well as electronic money service providers, such as Gopay and Ovo. Hence, you can select your preferred service to offer alms," he stated.
The collection of zakat through these online store services is projected to witness a notable growth by 2020, reaching some 20-30 percent of the total alms raised by Baznas.
"This is owing to simplification of the method to pay zakat, so the awareness of paying it is also rising. On the other hand, the number of people obliged to pay zakat, or so-called muzaki, is increasing, particularly members of the millennial generation, as they are familiar with fintech," Purwakananta added. EDITED BY INE
Translator: Bambang Purwanto
Editor: Eliswan Azly
Copyright © ANTARA 2019
