KUALA LUMPUR (April 30): Malayan Banking Bhd (Maybank) expects a 30% increase, equivalent to 200,000, in online zakat transactions amounting to RM30 million to be performed via its e-wallet MAE app and Maybank2u web this Ramadhan.
In a statement today, the banking group said it recently enhanced its online zakat feature on its digital platforms to provide customers with a seamless experience when paying zakat during the month.
Maybank head of community financial services Malaysia, Datuk Hamirullah Boorhan, said that with the ongoing pandemic, digitising zakat payments is more important than ever.
“During the holy month, we want our customers to be able to fulfil their religious obligation of paying zakat fitrah conveniently and safely, especially in the current environment where movement control is still in place in some parts of the country. Through the MAE app, our customers can make their zakat fitrah contribution in just a few simple steps, without having to leave their home,” he said.
He highlighted with the enhancements, the type of rice they consume and the number of family members making the contribution, the amount of zakat fitrah to be paid will be automatically calculated once the customer selects the zakat body.
“Customers do not need to painstakingly search up the price of rice as stipulated by each state zakat body as it is readily available in the app; neither do they need to key in their personal details as we have automated this process.
“The akad for zakat is also displayed at the payment confirmation page, making our online zakat system the most complete one in the country presently,” he said.
Commenting on Maybank’s eDuit Raya launched last year during the pandemic, Hamirullah said the feature has received an overwhelming response.
“We are confident that the service will continue to be popular and relevant this year as safety remains a priority for many, and expect about 1.5 million eDuit Raya transactions amounting to RM115 million to be sent by our customers.
“With the newly added fun e-Raya greetings and MAE-ga Raya game, we hope to bring some joy to the families who are celebrating apart and liven up their festivity,” he said.
Maybank customers can make zakat payments to all state zakat bodies in Malaysia. For zakat fitrah, currently 11 bodies are able to accept online payments, namely Kedah, Kelantan, Penang, Melaka, Perak, Perlis, Sabah, Sarawak, Selangor, Terengganu and Wilayah Persekutuan.
At the midday break, Maybank shed one sen to RM8.24, valuing it at RM94.05 billion.
