Johor people's waqaf fund launched

JOHOR BARU: The Tabung Waqaf Rakyat Johor (Johor People's Waqaf Fund) which is to be a new instrument in improving the economy, health and education of people in the state, was launched today.
It was launched by the Sultan of Johor, Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar at the Johor International Convention Centre (Persada), here, in conjunction with the Johor International Wakaf Conference 2016.
Also present at the ceremony was Tunku Mahkota Johor, Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim.
Earlier, in his speech, Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the fund would be managed by Perbadanan Islam Johor (PIJ) which had managed to collect RM12 million in contributions so far.
The amount includes RM5 million from the state government, RM2 million each from PIJ and the Johor Islamic Religious Council, RM1 million from Johor Corporation and RM500,000 from the Johor Umno Liaison Body.
Besides from the corporate sector, contributions to the wakaf fund also came from individuals and through a salary deduction scheme and investments.
Mohamed Khaled said the fund was established with several objectives including as an avenue for Muslims in the state to do charity.
"Tabung Waqaf Rakyat Johor is a way for us to strengthen the solidarity of Bangsa Johor and as an initiative in using various Islamic models for the good of the people in Johor.
"Waqaf is the way of God for us to manage wealth so that it can profoundly be shared among people for their own good," he added.
He also disclosed that with the fund, a number of projects had been planned for implementation, including the building of a medical specialists' complex, Larkin Main Hall and the Muafakat Bangsa Johor food truck site. — Bernama