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.

Therefore, Mohd Azmi stressed that the government should not use politics as an excuse to come up with the new policy in religious studies.

A scapegoat

"We are very disappointed with the prime minister who have turned SAR into a scapegoat to fulfil his political agenda in keeping away religious influence in the nation's socio-economic development," he added.

He said Mahathir's argument that religious studies at national-type schools will suffice does not hold as SAR provides more in-depth understanding on Islam.

"Furthermore, most public religious schools also stress on academic excellence similar to that of national-type schools in order to prepare their students to excel in examinations.

"Therefore, the issue of whether SAR provides balanced Islamic studies and academic achievement should not arise," he added.

Mohd Azmi said Teras does not see why there is a need for the government to stop financial aid to public religious schools because their presence have never been questioned by other races, if Mahathir believed that the schools do not encourage racial harmony.

Lead to abuse

He said Mahathir must act to prove his statement that "Malaysia is an Islamic country" and not do something contradictory by closing public religious schools. On another issue, Mohd Azmi said Teras disagreed with the government's move to allow non-Malays to develop Malay Reserve Land.

He said such a move, if carried out without proper research, will lead to abuse which eventually will result in Malays losing their remaining land.

Mohd Azmi also questioned why the Malays are still unable to develop their land despite assistance from various semi-government agencies.