PUTRAJAYA: More than RM76 million was disbursed to 819 various religious schools throughout the country today.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak presented the mock cheques to headmasters and representatives of the schools here at special event organised at Seri Perdana here today.
In presenting the funds, Najib said the government recognised the importance of religious schools especially Tahfiz schools which have become a popular choice among parents and students.
"In recent years, I note that Tahfiz institutions have become a trend among students.
"So it's the government's responsibility to make sure the Tahfiz education is not only the parents' choice but a choice which can produce excellent individuals.
"With the approval of these funds, I hope the development of Tahfiz education will be more systematic and orderly," he said in his speech.
For this effort, the government, in the 2017 Budget had approved a RM50 million allocation for religious schools and RM30 million to streamline tahfiz education.
He also hoped religious education institutions in the country will combine knowledge of the Al-Quran, science and revelation (wahyu) in order to create excellent and complete Muslims.
"Because that will be our strength to build a successful Islamic civilisation," he added.
Adding further, Najib said the government is always committed to strengthening Islamic education and make registered pondok schools, Sekolah Menengah Agama Rakyat and Tahfiz schools excellent institutions.
He told the audience that the Malaysia Syariah Index, which was introduced in 2015, is a method to determine if the country is fulfilling the objectives of Islamic principles.
Such an index is also to dismiss the unhealthy polemic that Malaysia is a failed state, being not Islamic enough and too strict, he added.
Najib called on private tahfiz schools to register with the Islamic Development Department (Jakim) to receive incentives worth RM10,000.
A total of 129 sekolah pondok, 99 Sekolah Menengah Agama Rakyat and 591 Tahfiz institutions were presented with funds today.