Penang PAS wants the Pakatan Harapan state government to “de-politicise” education and publicise the reason why financial aid to two religious schools have been denied.

State PAS information chief Mohd Yusni Mat Piah said it is “strange” that the financial aid given to the two schools since 2009 have been abruptly stopped.

He claimed that the two schools in question are Sekolah Rendah Islam Al-Ansor (Sria) and Sekolah Rendah Islam Bahrul Ulum (Sribu).

“It was strange and suspicious when the letter of notice of financial aid which was sent to Sria’s representative on Sept 3 by the Penang Islamic Affairs Department (JAIPP) was withdrawn on the same day,” Mohd Yusni said in a statement.

“We do not deny that religious schools have received their allocations even though it is late in the year; the question is, why have the two schools been taken out of the list?” he queried.

He urged the Pakatan Harapan state government to be transparent about the matter and explain the reasons why the two schools were not listed in the list of recipients for the year.

It is believed that the schools are run by PAS members, who claimed that the aid was stopped after the party cut ties with DAP, resulting in the break up of Pakatan Rakyat.

Following the 'demise' of Pakatan Rakyat, Penang announced on Sept 23 that it is now a Pakatan Harapan state government with Parti Amanah Negara as it ally.

Penang executive councillor for Islamic Affairs Abdul Malik Kassim (photo) said that the annual aid is not “permanent grant” and all schools take turns to receive the money according to their needs.

Abdul Malik said since 2008, Penang had allocated RM1.5 million to education including financial aid to religious schools and the amount increased to RM1.75 million the following year.

He added the state government has contributed RM13.75 million, not including development budgets and Hari Raya and year-end bonuses to teachers and administrators in the state.

This year, the state had allocated funds to six schools which had never received any aid before, he added.

'An uncivilised act'

“For the record, Sribu has received RM276,500.00 since 2010 while Sria has received RM111,500.00,” Abdul Malik said in a statement.

“We regret the allegations by PAS that the state had purposely stopped aid to schools run by them as these claims are baseless. Many schools run by PAS still get aid,” he noted.

Mohd Yusni however said the Muslim new year this year will be greeted with 'tears and sadness' by the teachers, parents and students of the two schools.

He described the cutting of financial aid to the schools as “an uncivilised act”.

“We urge the Pakatan Harapan state government to be transparent about this, and do not use politics as the reason to deny the two schools of financial aid,” Mohd Yusni (photo) said.

“The future of 500 students, most of them poor, and 80 staff have been jeopardised because of the state’s decision,” he lamented.

“The funds managed by the state government belongs to the people, especially the taxpayers who are also PAS leaders and members,” he added.

He urged Pakatan Harapan leaders in Penang to be professional like the PAS state government in Kelantan who has channelled financial aid to all, regardless of race, religion or political allegiance.

He told Pakatan Harapan not to follow the example of Umno-BN so that when it takes over Putrajaya, it will be a government that is just, transparent and fair to all levels of society.