PAS information chief Nasruddin Hassan today welcomed the launch of the National Coalition of Tahfiz Institutions Association (Pinta) as a platform to strengthen religious institutions in the country.

In a statement, Nasruddin said he was personally invited by Pinta to attend its gathering of 20,000 huffaz held at Masjid Wilayah in Kuala Lumpur last night.

"The launch of Pinta is highly welcomed as an effective coalition to lift the image of the huffaz, so they will no longer be seen in a negative light by certain parties or be sidelined from the mainstream national education agenda," the Temerloh MP added.

Tahfiz institutions are private religious schools that focus on training their students, known as huffaz, to memorise the Al-Quran.

Nasruddin, who is also Kongres Rakyat secretary, said that the coalition comprising PAS and civil society leaders had urged the government to strengthen not only private tahfiz institutions but also state-funded religious schools nationwide.

He also noted that Pinta's members currently comprise around 300 tahfiz institutions nationwide.

Gov't to provide financial assistance

Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, in launching Pinta last night, announced that the government would be introducing a national policy on tahfiz education.

The implementation of the policy, Najib said, would be placed under the purview of the minister in charge of religious affairs under the Prime Minister's Department.

Najib had earlier joined the congregation for evening prayers and Umno-linked portal Suara.tv quoted him as saying: "I will provide support and financial assistance, beginning with RM10,000 for each Pinta at state-level to meet their needs."

Najib also added that Yayasan 1MDB would be sponsoring 10 Pinta representatives to perform the haj in Mekah this year.

Also present at the event were Pahang Menteri Besar Adnan Yaakob and PAS Youth deputy chief Nik Mohamad Abduh Nik Abdul Aziz.