PM Anwar Approves RM1.525 Mln For Five Pondok, Tahfiz Institutions In Sabah

KOTA KINABALU, March 15 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today announced an allocation of RM1.525 million for five pondok schools and tahfiz centres in Sabah to upgrade infrastructure and introduce digital education, including artificial intelligence (AI).

He said the initiative reflects the MADANI government’s commitment to strengthening traditional Islamic education institutions while ensuring they keep pace with technological developments.

The five institutions receiving the allocation are Pondok Pesantren Nurul Ihsan and Pondok Miftahussalam in Sandakan, Pusat Pengajian Tahfiz Al-Quran Babussalam and Pondok Al-Hasyimi in Kudat, as well as Pondok Fii Dzilalil Quran in Kota Belud.

“Pondok and tahfiz institutions must adapt to global changes, including technological progress and artificial intelligence,” he said at the MADANI breaking-of-fast event at Universiti Malaysia Sabah here today.

Also present were Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Zambry Abd Kadir, Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah and Sarawak) Datuk Mustapha Sakmud.

Anwar said the government will not interfere with the traditional curriculum taught at pondok and tahfiz institutions, but suggested that all educational institutions, including religious schools, ensure students master Bahasa Melayu and understand the country’s history.

He said the government only intends to complement the existing curriculum by introducing elements such as language proficiency, history, digital education and artificial intelligence.

Anwar said the government had previously stopped financial assistance to sekolah agama rakyat in 2003 despite the institutions serving hundreds of thousands of students nationwide.

He said the current administration decided to review the policy after recognising the important role these institutions play in community education.

“I discussed the matter with my colleagues and felt the decision was not wise, and if there are weaknesses, we should try to improve them while listening to their concerns,” he said.

Meanwhile, Anwar stressed the importance of ensuring national development benefits people at the grassroots level.

He said basic facilities such as small restaurants, stalls and food kiosks that serve the majority of the population should also be considered in development planning.

“I urge that attention be given to basic facilities used by the majority of the people as these small eateries attract around 85 per cent of customers but are sometimes overlooked in development plans,” he added.

-- BERNAMA