Kedah-based non-governmental oganisation (NGO) Teras has criticised Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad's statement that Malaysia does not need the Sekolah Agama Rakyat (SAR) because Islamic studies have been sufficiently taught at national-type schools.

Its president Mohd Azmi Abdul Hamid said the accusation by the prime minister that religious schools "do not teach religion" is something very serious and which has to be supported with evidence.

"He has simply made the statement without studying the implication and direction of Islamic studies and education for Muslim students in the country," he said in a statement.

He added that in the first place, the closing of public religious schools contradicts the government policy of upholding religion and culture in Malaysia.