Sabah’s two zakat fitrah rates represent flexibility while still fulfilling obligation

KOTA KINABALU (Feb 10): The Sabah Islamic Religious Council (MUIS) has declared two ‘zakat fitrah’ rates this year, set at RM7.50 and RM15.

This marks a first for the state in providing payment options based on the types of rice consumed.

Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister of Sabah, Datuk Isnin Aliasnih, said the introduction of these two-tier rates reflected a new initiative by the state government to give Muslims greater flexibility according to their financial capability, while still fulfilling this religious obligation.

“The determination of these rates takes into account current rice prices, particularly the difference between regular rice and fragrant rice,” he told reporters when met after the ‘Zakat Fitrah Rate Declaration’ press conference on Tuesday.

Isnin said in view of more people today being able to afford the pricier fragrant rice, MUIS had provided two options to better reflect present-day consumption patterns.

“I’m confident that the move would have a positive impact on ‘zakat’ (tithe) collection and allow more assistance to be channelled to the poor and needy folks in Sabah.

“I believe this is a step forward taken by the Sabah Zakat Centre, and represents the best approach under current circumstances,” he pointed out.

Meanwhile, MUIS president Datuk Yahya Hussin explained that the RM7.50 rate would apply to Muslims consuming imported white rice, while the RM15 rate would be for those consuming fragrant rice.

“The determination of these rates is based on the measurement of one ‘gantang Baghdad’, equivalent to 2.7kg of rice consumed by the majority of Muslims in Sabah,” he said.

In Islam, ‘zakat fitrah’ is compulsory for every adult Muslim who meets the conditions stipulated under ‘syariah’ (Islamic law).

Adding on, Isnin remarked: “Based on earlier announcements by the Yang Dipertua (Muis president), zakat collection in 2025 declined from the number recorded in 2024.

“With the new rates, we are hopeful that the collections in 2026 would increase.

“Higher collections should enable us to extend more assistance to the people, especially the poor and those in need, as well as to carry out more community programmes and activities.”

In describing the initiative as ‘positive and meaningful’, Isnin also called upon entrepreneurs to fulfil their zakat obligations.

“Pay the zakat so that the revenue received will be blessed by Allah S.W.T.,” he said.

Meanwhile, MUIS secretary Datuk Ramlan Awang Ali said in determining the ‘zakat fitrah’ rate for Hijrah Year 1447 /2026, the Zakat and Fitrah Division of the council, in collaboration with Beras Corporation (Sabah) Sdn Bhd, had held discussions to obtain the relevant data and statistics on rice in Sabah.

According to Beras Corporation Sabah, the main types of rice marketed in Sabah consist of imported white rice, fragrant rice and basmati rice.

The Zakat and Fitrah Division also surveyed the quantities and retail prices of rice at several major supermarkets across eight districts in Sabah: Kota Kinabalu, Tawau, Sandakan, Lahad Datu, Kota Marudu, Beaufort, Keningau and Ranau.

“Based on the findings, overall average price across the eight districts shows that imported white rice is priced at approximately RM2.82 per kilogramme, while the average price of fragrant rice is RM5.43 per kilogramme,” said Ramlan.

Additionally, Ramlan noted that, as announced so far, the ‘zakat fitrah’ rates – per ‘gantang Baghdad’ – in several states across Malaysia had been set according to the type of rice consumed.

The rates in Johor are RM8, RM10 and RM20; Kedah at RM9, RM15 and RM23; Kelantan (RM10 and RM22); Negeri Sembilan (RM7.50, RM12 and RM20); Pahang (RM8, RM14 and RM21); Penang (RM10, RM15 and RM25); Perak (RM10, RM16 and RM25); and Sarawak (RM7.50).

Rates for the Federal Territories, Selangor and Melaka have yet to be announced.