inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. Coordinating Minister for Community Empowerment Abdul Muhaimin Iskandar is encouraging the distribution of zakat, infaq, and sedekah (ZIS) to be more than just charitable, but also to empower the poor.

"We are ensuring that zakat, infaq, and sedekah (ZIS) do not stop only during Ramadan and cease to be charitable, but rather that we are moving based on the DTSEN (National Development Planning). We are encouraging all of our people to move up a class, become empowered, and independent. We care about the poor, while also encouraging them to become empowered," said Muhaimin on Friday (3/13/2026).

He called on all parties to work together to address poverty by paying zakat, infaq, and sedekah.

"A united movement that integrates the strengths of the government, zakat and philanthropic institutions, the business world, and volunteers, which continues to move, is a force that I am confident and optimistic can overcome our nation's poverty problem," he explained.

According to him, these efforts are crucial considering that there are still around 23 million Indonesians who are not yet prosperous.

"At least 23 million people who are not yet prosperous, still struggling economically, are our responsibility. They are part of the 8.25 percent of our nation's population who are still experiencing poverty, and 0.85 percent who are still in extreme poverty," explained Muhaimin.

He added that the government cannot solve the poverty problem alone; it requires synergy and collaboration with various parties.

He considered this collaborative forum important because the teachings of various religions teach the same values: mutual assistance and working together to help those less fortunate.

(ad/ndt/pr/rs)