RM1.9b allocated to Islamic affairs

BUDGET 2024 | The government will allocate RM1.9 billion for the management and development of Islamic affairs next year.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said that two Islamic educational institutions will be built at a cost of RM220 million.

“This is namely the Tahfiz Science Integration Secondary School Complex, Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur and Jempol National Religious Secondary School, Negeri Sembilan.

“Islamic knowledge education will continue to develop to be appreciated and understood by all Muslims,” he said when tabling Budget 2024 in the Dewan Rakyat.

He added that a total of RM150 million will be provided to the Islamic Development Department (Jakim) to maintain and upgrade the infrastructure of Islamic educational institutions, including religious schools, registered lodge institutions and tahfiz schools.

“God willing, the organisation of knowledge councils by Islamic figures and scholars throughout the country, especially at the Seri Perdana Complex, will be continued and increased to improve the understanding and appreciation of religious knowledge for Muslims,” Anwar said.

In appreciation of the services and role of more than 70,000 religious (takmir) teachers, Kafa (religious and Fardu Ain class) teachers, imams and other religious posts (bilal, siak, noja and mabut) at the community level, the government agreed to increase the special contribution to RM700 which will be channelled directly to them.

This came up to an allocation of more than RM50 million, he said.

He added that in 2003, the government had stopped per capita aid to the Sekolah Agama Rakyat on the grounds that the Islamic teaching approach was not on the right track.

“The unity government has decided to restore the aid grant of RM20,000 to all the Sekolah Agama Rakyat registered under Jakim.

“This grant is expected to support the function of these schools in producing a new generation of Muslims who are balanced in their worldly and spiritual knowledge,” Anwar said.

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