Malaysia's Dr Zulkifli Hasan drives wakaf and Baitulmal reforms

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department for Religious Affairs, Senator Dr Zulkifli Hasan, said Sultan Nazrin Shah's recent titah highlighted that many waqf assets in Malaysia remain under‑utilised due to weak governance, incomplete records and ownership disputes. The government plans to refine its National Wa​qf Master Plan by incorporating feedback from the states to improve asset management and increase community benefits.

Speaking at the National Baitulmal Convention 2026 in Kuala Nerus, Dr Zulkifli urged a shift from a merely distributive charitable model to a generative one that creates sustainable economic growth for the Muslim community. He outlined three strategic pillars: integrating zakat, waqf and Islamic micro‑finance; digitising Baitulmal operations using AI, big data and blockchain; and developing high‑impact waqf projects and new financial products to meet modern needs.