RM2bil allocated for Islamic affairs

 

The women, family and community development ministry will get an additional RM25 million to handle abused children linked to GISBH. (PDRM pic)

PETALING JAYA: 

A total of RM2 billion has been allocated for Islamic affairs under the 2025 budget.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who is also the finance minister, said the women, family and community development ministry will get an additional RM25 million to handle abused children and implement faith rehabilitation programmes following the ongoing Op Global, Bernama reported.

Police launched Op Global early last month and raided charity homes across Peninsular Malaysia linked to Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holdings (GISBH), suspected of being involved in the exploitation of children and religion.

Six states have declared GISBH practices as being deviant.

The thoughts and movements that deviate from true teachings of Islam based on Ahli Sunnah Wal Jamaah are increasingly of concern,

 Anwar said.

He said that integrated efforts are being undertaken to curb the spread of activities that deviate from akidah (faith), causing unease among Malaysians.

Anwar stated RM150 million will be allocated for the maintenance of educational infrastructure under the Malaysian Islamic development department (Jakim), such as pondok, tahfiz and people’s religious schools.

The government has agreed to increase the number of teachers for Kelas Al-Quran dan Fardu Ain (Kafa) by 1,500, in line with the demand for religious education for children,

 he said.

Anwar said the allowance for students at Institut Pengajian Islam dan Dakwah Sabah, Institut Kemahiran Islam Malaysia Sarawak and Darul Quran Jakim will be increased by RM100.

He also said that the government will launch an initiative to print one million copies of the Quran to be distributed worldwide, with translations in various languages.

To support efforts in raising aid funds (for the Palestinians), the government proposes to expand the scope of tax exemptions for charitable organisations under Section 44(6) of the Income Tax Act to include donations to non-citizens who are affected,

 he said.

Meanwhile, he said over 70,000 Kafa and takmir (religious) teachers, imams, bilals (muezzin), mosque caretakers and custodians would enjoy a special contribution of RM500, with an allocation totalling RM35 million.

Besides that, the number of Jakim halal auditors will be increased by 100 to speed up the halal certification process.

Anwar allocated RM300 million to enhance the development of wakaf land for building self-sufficient retirement homes for low-income retirees.

UDA Holdings Berhad will focus on developing affordable housing for the people on wakaf land with a fund of RM200 million. - FMT