Lembaga Zakat Selangor is actively implementing efforts to identify the urban poor in the state.
LZS asnaf distribution operations division deputy chief Md Yusmizan Yusuf said that four districts — Petaling, Klang, Hulu Langat and Gombak — have been identified as urban poor areas. These districts also have the highest number of asnaf families, particularly those categorised as fakir and miskin.
To tackle the rising trend in urban poverty, LZS has implemented various initiatives, including the Skuad Jejak Kemiskinan, which aims to locate individuals in need of assistance.
This programme is a collaboration with local mosques and surau, enabling community members to help identify those who require support.
Yusmizan reported that over 6,000 new recipients were identified from January to August, following the identification of 12,080 new recipient families last year.
"Using surveys and community outreach, and assisted by more than 1,900 penolong amil kariah (individuals appointed to identify asnaf groups in their respective communities), we are actively seeking those in need," he said.
Individuals can also visit LZS branches directly for assistance, which ensures timely support for those facing challenges.
LZS offers a variety of aid, including monthly financial support, rental assistance and settlement of housing arrears.
"Such assistance is essential for helping the urban poor navigate their difficulties, with the hope that it will lift them out of poverty," Yusmizan added.
In addition to financial aid, LZS provides career-matching services to help heads of families secure employment and assist other household members.
For those with entrepreneurial skills, capital support is available to help them start their businesses.
LZS is working with various government agencies and community groups to streamline data sharing and better target assistance.
It also partners with the state Education Department to identify needy individuals within schools, ensuring they receive the necessary support.
Addressing the challenges of identifying the urban poor, Yusmizan said that many reside in low-cost apartments or People's Housing Projects (PPR) and may not engage with their communities, making them harder to locate. Furthermore, some recipients may hesitate to seek help.
To guarantee that assistance reaches those who genuinely need it, LZS conducts home visits and monitoring activities.
The penolong amil kariah play a crucial role in identifying individuals in need within their communities, ensuring that support, such as food, medical care and rental aid, is adequate and timely.
"Continuous outreach activities allow us to ensure these recipients receive the necessary assistance. They must also update their personal information annually to maintain their aid eligibility," he added.
The Selangor government has adopted the Poverty Line Income (PLI) from the Economy Ministry as a benchmark for assessing living standards in the state.
This benchmark helps define and categorise between the poor and urban poor. Within the context of LZS, eligibility for assistance is evaluated using the had al-kifayah method, which measures a family's needs based on current living costs.
Regardless of their status, recipients — especially the urban poor — are not neglected.
Their rights are upheld through appropriate assistance, enabling them to improve their circumstances and ultimately escape poverty.