KUALA LUMPUR — Muslim unitholders of Amanah Saham Nasional Berhad (ASNB) fixed price funds can now opt for the Zakat al Mustaghallat via collective (Khultah) payment method, allowing them to receive net income distributions after a 2.57 per cent zakat deduction, which is calculated only on the distributed income and not on the investment principal.
To enable ASNB to manage the zakat obligations of Muslim unitholders, effective 25 May 2026, all fixed price funds have been restructured into a multi-class format comprising Class A and Class B:
- Class A:
All existing unitholders of fixed price funds are automatically placed under Class A. There are no changes to their investment or the way income distributions are received. Unitholders will continue to receive full income distributions, without any zakat deduction. - Class B:
Open to Muslim unitholders who wish to manage their zakat more conveniently by opting into Class B, where income distributions are received after zakat deduction.
Unitholders who prefer to manage their zakat independently may choose to remain in Class A. Meanwhile, opting for Class B enables unitholders to benefit from a comprehensive zakat management approach while maintaining competitive net returns, thereby supporting long-term investment sustainability. The zakat collected will be channeled to the respective State Zakat Agencies for distribution to eligible asnaf, in accordance with the rulings of the relevant zakat authorities.
Datuk Rizal Rickman Ramli, Acting President & Group Chief Executive of PNB, said that the introduction of this new collective Zakat al-Mustaghallat payment method forms part of PNB’s ongoing commitment to strengthening the socio-economic wellbeing of Muslim unitholders.
“ASNB provides zakat payment options that enable unitholders to fulfil their obligations conveniently and systematically, in line with Shariah requirements,” he said.
He also expressed appreciation to the relevant national and state religious authorities for their consideration of the Zakat al-Mustaghallat calculation method via Khultah, which supports a more systematic zakat distribution framework and helps unitholders achieve their long-term investment goals with competitive net returns.
The zakat rate is set at 2.57 per cent for all ASNB fixed-price funds namely ASB, ASB 2, ASB 3 Didik, ASM, ASM 2 Wawasan and ASM 3, in line with the Masihi calendar approach and international zakat accounting standards.
Easy Access to Class B Selection
Unitholders can easily opt into Class B via the myASNB app or portal, ASNB kiosks or over the counter at branches and agents. Participation in Class B is permanent, and switching back to Class A will not be available.
By choosing Class B, zakat will be automatically managed and paid by ASNB upon crediting of income distributions after the financial year end. This zakat payment does not affect the investment principal, in line with the primary objective of generating sustainable returns.
Implementation of the Zakat al-Mustaghallat Method via Khultah
The implementation of the Zakat al-Mustaghallat method has taken into account Islamic legal opinions deliberated in the The Muzakarah Committee of the National Council for Islamic Religious Affairs Malaysia (MKI) as well as approvals from State Fatwa Committees including the Federal Territories, Pahang, Penang, Kelantan, Kedah, Melaka, Perak,
Sabah, Terengganu and Selangor, which endorse the application of the Zakat al-Mustaghallat via Khultah method for ASNB fixed price funds.
This approach is aligned with the concept of Khultah in Islam, based on a hadith narrated by Anas bin Malik from Abu Bakar (RA), in which the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said, “Do not combine what is separate, and do not separate what is combined (of zakat assets) to avoid paying zakat. And for two people whose assets are mixed, zakat must be issued from both of them proportionately (pro-rata).” (Narrated by Bukhari). For more information, please visit www.asnb.com.my/zakat
