JAKARTA – The National Amil Zakat Agency (BAZNAS) convened the second BAZNAS Development Forum (BDF II) under the theme “Indonesia’s Poverty Map: Perspectives from BPS and the World Bank” at the Achmad Subianto Hall, BAZNAS Headquarters, Jakarta.

This forum served as a cross-sector collaboration and dialogue platform that brought together insights from Statistics Indonesia (BPS), the World Bank, academics, and national development planners. Its aim was to identify converging points across various poverty mapping approaches and formulate policy recommendations to enhance the effectiveness of poverty alleviation programs both at the national and local levels.

The event was officially opened by Chairman of BAZNAS RI, Prof. Dr. KH. Noor Achmad, MA, and attended by key BAZNAS leaders including Hj. Saidah Sakwan, MA (Distribution and Utilization Division), Col. Caj. (Ret.) Nur Chamdani (HR, Finance, and General Affairs Division), along with notable speakers:

• Amalia Adininggar Widyasanti, Ph.D., Head of BPS

• Rosy Wediawaty DE., MSE., M.Sc., Director of Sharia Economics and State-Owned Enterprises at Bappenas

• Hidayaneu Farchatunnisa, Researcher at BAZNAS RI’s Directorate of ZIS-DSKL Studies and Development

Prof. Noor Achmad emphasized that a clear understanding of poverty indicators is essential for designing effective zakat-based interventions. He cited programs like ZChicken, ZMart, ZCoffee, and Balai Ternak, which have positively impacted the lives of many beneficiaries (mustahik).

“In Central Java alone, over 25,000 mustahik have successfully moved out of poverty. It’s time we strengthen institutional collaboration, including a proposed MoU between BAZNAS, Bappenas, and BPS,” he stated.

Hj. Saidah Sakwan clarified that the forum does not aim to debate methodologies but rather to foster synergy among institutions. She reaffirmed BAZNAS’ role in connecting policy-level data with the lived realities of mustahik, and its commitment to promoting relevant, just, and sustainable zakat empowerment programs.

“We hope this forum can unify global, national, and local approaches, and produce concrete policy recommendations—ideally leading to an MoU between BAZNAS, Bappenas, and BPS,” she added.

BPS Head Amalia Widyasanti presented the current poverty status in Indonesia, noting:

“As of September 2024, the national poverty rate stands at 8.57%, or around 24.06 million people. Under the global extreme poverty threshold of USD 2.15/day (PPP 2017), 3.17 million Indonesians are still classified as extremely poor. The use of the Unified National Socioeconomic Data (DTSEN) is crucial in policymaking.”

Rosy Wediawaty from Bappenas underlined the importance of synchronized data across institutions to maximize zakat's role in poverty reduction.

Adding to the discussion, BAZNAS researcher Hidayaneu Farchatunnisa elaborated on how zakat impact assessments support welfare. She highlighted that BAZNAS’ empowerment programs have significantly boosted mustahik entrepreneurship:

“Before receiving zakat support, 65.61% of mustahik had businesses. After assistance, this figure rose to 84.84%.”

In conclusion, BAZNAS hopes this forum marks a milestone in enhancing inter-agency synergy, promoting data-driven development visions, and accelerating poverty eradication efforts toward a more just and prosperous Indonesia