Reflecting On The ACT Case, Bazna-LAZ Management Asked Not To Live A Lavish Lifestyle

Director of Zakat and Waqf Empowerment of the Ministry of Religion Tarmizi Tohor/Photo: Antara

JAKARTA - The Director of Zakat and Waqf Empowerment of the Ministry of Religion Tarmizi Tohor asked the administrators of the National Amil Zakat Agency (Baznas) and the Amil Zakat Institution (LAZ) to avoid hedonistic behavior that can hurt people's hearts.

"It's like showing a life of luxury because it will cause a bad perception from the public," Tarmizi said, quoted by Antara, Tuesday, July 5.

Tarmizi's statement relates to the alleged misappropriation of public funds by the philanthropic organization Aksi Cepat Tanggap (ACT). In Tempo's investigation report, a number of the organization's leaders received facilities such as high salaries and luxury operational vehicles.

Tarmizi wants the amil zakat institution to focus on managing and distributing people's funds optimally and on target for the common good. The leaders at LAZ must also be an example for the community.

As for permits, he said, the Ministry of Religion only has the authority to issue operational permits for zakat, infaq, and alms fund management institutions (ZIS) on the basis of a letter of recommendation from Baznas.

"In the case of the ACT institution, which is currently in the public spotlight, it is the authority of the Ministry of Social Affairs to issue their permits," he said.

On the other hand, the Ministry of Religion also continues to strive to provide security guarantees for the management of ZIS funds carried out by Baznas and LAZ through sharia compliance audits.

"This is done so that there is no more misappropriation of ZIS funds that have been entrusted by the people to zakat management institutions," he said.

Previously, the Zakat Forum (FOZ) stated that the Aksi Cepat Tanggap (ACT) institution is not part of the organization or ecosystem of zakat management in Indonesia.

FOZ chairman Bambang Suherman said the construction of regulations and supervision mechanisms for zakat management organizations (OPZ) in Indonesia is very strict. In accordance with Law 23/2011 on zakat management, there is a multi-layered supervisory mechanism involving various stakeholders.

The OPZ supervision mechanism involves the Ministry of Religion, National Development Planning Agency, MUI, and others. This is intended to minimize the potential for misappropriation of public funds and conflicts of interest within the zakat management organization.