PKS Values Zakat Funds Can Be Used To Eat Free Nutrition If Targeting Poor

Illustration of free nutritious food (ANTARA)

"If the MBG program targets the poor, poor and vulnerable groups, then zakat funds could be for this program," Fikri told reporters, Monday, January 20.

As is known, the Chairman of the DPD RI Sultan Najamuddin suggested that MBG also take advantage of zakat contributions. This proposal arose because the National Revenue and Expenditure Budget (APBN) of IDR 71 trillion for MBG was not estimated to be sufficient until the end of the year.

Therefore, a funding scheme for the Nutrition Fulfillment Service Unit (SPPG) emerged in various regions for the MBG program using various sources of funds. Some of the sources of funds in question are the APBN and Village Funds.

Fikri said that accountability in the implementation of the MBG program is very important. So he suggested that the distribution of zakat funds for this program be returned to the amil zakat (LAZ) institution, the National Amil Zakat Agency (Baznas), or similar institutions.

"Only the implementation so that it is accountable will be returned to the amil zakat institution. Both LAZ, Baznas and or similar," said the legislator from Central Java.

Fikri then highlighted the potential expansion of the MBG program to reach people outside the mustahik zakat. He suggested that this program could utilize Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds from state and private-owned enterprises.

“Untuk menjangkau sasaran yang lebih luas di luar mustahik zakat, maka bisa menggunakan CSR dari lembaga usaha milik negara maupun swasta,” katanya.

Dengan demikian, menurutnya, program MBG dapat berjalan sesuai dengan ketentuan syariah dan tidak mengurangi porsi dana zakat yang seharusnya diterima oleh mustahik.

I agree if its designation is targeted at the poor and vulnerable groups. Because this is in accordance with the waqf mustahik criteria, but if it is for the public, it is better to use another scheme that allows and is justified by law," he concluded.