PORT DICKSON: All 31 tahfiz schools in Negeri Sembilan must comply with fire safety standards in three months or face closure and be hauled up to court.
Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said he had directed the state Fire and Rescue Department to inspect all religious schools in three months to ensure that they adhere to the fire safety specifications.
"I will be strict in this matter as it involves the lives of our children and all tahfiz schools in the state must comply or be hauled up to court," Mohamad told reporters today at Kembara Jelajah Anti Rasuah 2017 organised by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission.
Mohamad was commenting on the Keramat tahfiz school fire at Darul Quran Ittifaqyah in Kuala Lumpur which killed 23 people.
Mohamad said tahfiz schools were sprouting like mushrooms as students, parents and the community were inspired to learn about Islam.
"However, it is hard to regulate the tahfiz schools as they can be set up by the government, non governmental organisations, individuals and the local community, and many are unregistered."
Mohamad also denied claims by keyboard warriors that tahfiz schools in Negeri do not receive aid as the state government continuously distributes assistance to the students to a tune of RM80 per capita via Baitulmal and the Islamic Advancement Department (JAKIM).