PM Anwar Wants SMISTA Project In Bukit Jalil To Be Implemented Quickly

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 26 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim wants the implementation of Sekolah Menengah Integrasi Sains Tahfiz (SMISTA) project in Bukit Jalil to be expedited.

He wants the tender process for the school construction project to be carried out carefully.

"I want SMISTA to be implemented soon, the allocation is big around RM76 million. I asked Dr Na'im (Minister in the Prime Minister's Department) to get a report on the progress within one week," he said.

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Anwar said this in a speech at the groundbreaking ceremony of the SMISTA construction project, here today.

SMISTA, which was established in 2011, offers religion-based education as well as modern and conventional science education with the aim of producing huffaz (Quran memorisers) who are able to balance worldly and ukhrawi (hereafter) life.

The construction of SMISTA in Bukit Jalil is scheduled to begin in the second quarter of 2025 and is expected to be completed in 2028.

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On the construction of SMISTA, Anwar, who is also Finance Minister, said the proposal for the school’s establishment at the current site had been put forward between 2011 and 2013, yet no approvals were granted.

He said there were suggestions to change the site, due to its high commercial value and strategic location in the capital, into a commercial area, and the SMISTA project was proposed to be relocated elsewhere.

“However, upon learning that this project had not yet been approved, I requested immediate clearance and agreed with MAIWP to proceed with the construction at this site, as there are families in the area who need a school.

“We want to develop Kuala Lumpur not just as a city known for five-star hotels, luxury restaurants, and skyscrapers, but also as a place with affordable housing, clean stalls, and schools like SMISTA,” he said, urging MAIWP to maintain strong governance throughout the project to ensure it is completed ahead of schedule.

Anwar said the tender process must be meticulous and there must not be any rushed handling of the project.

“Unlike the previous government, which neglected proper tendering and resorted to negotiations that ultimately failed, this is a promising initiative with noble objectives. We must avoid any governance violations; we cannot passionately speak of Islam while allowing sluggish projects, this is simply unacceptable. Where is the spirit of Islam in that?” he said. 

Anwar said there needs to be a report within this week to expedite the tender process, adding that the Finance Ministry can fast-track the approval, subject to the tender process adhering to established protocols.

“The construction of this school requires the religious council and relevant departments to demonstrate greater efficiency, speed and transparency than others,” he asserted.

The prime minister also stressed that education for the Huffaz generation should achieve a balance between mastering essential religious knowledge and the Quran while reinforcing disciplines in new fields.

“The world demands change, and we cannot afford to fall behind. The government aims for us to return to the right path; we must not focus on just one area but provide a balanced education. Yes, becoming a Huffaz is vital, but we must not neglect critical thinking, knowledge acquisition and mastery of new technologies.

Anwar said Islamic tradition should be integrated with modern science and new skills to cultivate an active younger generation that drives change and brings benefits to society.

“If we fail to do this, we will only become learned scholars while the country is dominated by technology wielded by others, while we will merely observe,” he said.

--  BERNAMA