GEORGE TOWN: The Penang government will act sternly against any party which deliberately ignores the safety aspect of tahfiz schools in the state.
State Religious Affairs Committee chairman Datuk Abdul Malik Abdul Kassim said this was in line with the latest decision by the National Council for Religious Affairs and special task force on tahfiz schools, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi yesterday.
"I tabled this to the state executive council this morning and the state government agreed to closely monitor the safety aspects of tahfiz schools to help in their development," he told newsmen today.
On Sept 14, a fire broke out at Darul Quran Ittifaqiyah Tahfiz Centre in Datuk Keramat, Kuala Lumpur and killed 21 students and two teachers.
Malik said the state government would work with the Federal Government to help in the development of tahfiz schools in the state including the proposal to amend the Education Act 1996.
"There is a need to improve the Act in terms of registration and enforcement on Islamic education institutions, including tahfiz schools," he added.
He said he would meet with a few parties to discuss steps and actions to be taken to increase the safety aspects of the 47 registered and some 20 unregistered maahad tahfiz in the state.
Malik said the state government had no plans to demolish the unregistered schools.
Instead, he said, the state government would assist the schools to reach a high standard of safety for their facilities.
Meanwhile, state Pas information chief Mohd Yusni Mat Piah labelled Malik's warning to tahfiz schools that failed to comply with the standards as a “threat”.
"In reality, it is being used as an opportunity to weaken the development of Islam.
"His (Malik's) attitude is very naive and uncivilised for a person holding the responsibility and power of administration in the state," said.
Yusni said Malik's warning would not solve the problem but would lead to the eradication of tahfiz schools in the state.
"He (Malik) should have acted wisely by helping to channel aid to the existing tahfiz schools as he is well aware that most of the tahfiz schools are operating on their own budget while relying on public donations for their operations.
"Help can also be channelled by ordering all state government machinery to give its support and cooperation towards developing the institution," he said.
He said the state government should not act partially against the tahfiz schools, such as that done towards Sekolah Rendah Islam Bahrul Ulum (SRIBU) at Permatang Pauh and Sekolah Rendah Islam Al-Ansor (SRIA) at Balik Pulau, which were denied aid because the schools were managed by Pas.
"It is surprising that the state government does not act as fast in closing down gambling and alcohol premises or illegal factories in the state," he added.