THE Raja Muda of Perlis, Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra Jamalullail, has emphasised the need for the Asnaf Transformation Academy of the Perlis Islamic Religious and Malay Customs Council (MAIPs), or ATAM, to adopt a holistic approach to human capital development as it plans for the next five years.
Speaking at the ATAM Board of Directors’ Special Meeting in Krabi, Thailand last night, Tuanku Syed Faizuddin highlighted that programmes must be tailored to current needs, focusing on practical skills, entrepreneurship, employability, and financial and digital literacy.
“This integrated approach is, in my view, crucial to ensuring that the asnaf in Perlis are not only skilled, but also competitive and confident to live independently in the future,” he said.
In Malaysia, the term “asnaf” denotes specific groups of people eligible to receive **zakat**, the compulsory almsgiving prescribed in Islam.
As one of the religion’s Five Pillars, zakat is intended to support those in need, providing financial assistance and promoting economic stability and self-sufficiency.
The special meeting was held in conjunction with the three-day MAIPs Ziarah Mahabbah Programme to the Andaman Region 2026, which began yesterday.
Tuanku Syed Faizuddin also underscored the importance of governance, monitoring, and evaluation, stressing that the effectiveness of programmes should be assessed by outcomes and impact rather than merely participation rates or expenditure.
“Data, analysis and feedback must be utilised to enhance existing approaches and to ensure that funds channelled are managed properly, with integrity, transparency and effectiveness,” he said.
The Raja Muda noted that ATAM’s role extends beyond short-term training initiatives, positioning the academy as a strategic institution tasked with transforming the asnaf community from dependency to capability — from being recipients to becoming contributors.
“Therefore, the direction outlined must be clear, focused and centred on real impact on the lives of the asnaf,” he added.
Earlier, Tuanku Syed Faizuddin, accompanied by the Raja Puan Muda of Perlis, Tuanku Dr Hajah Lailatul Shahreen Akashah Khalil, attended a dinner with the leadership and officials of Krabi province, including Governor Angkoon Seelatewakul and Colonel Pratharn Talapthon, Deputy Director of Operations (Army) of the province’s Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC).
The Raja Muda’s address highlights a continued commitment to developing asnaf communities in Perlis through structured, outcome-driven programmes designed to empower them economically and socially. - January 24, 2026
