Govt Committed To Strengthening Pondok Institutions Nationwide - Zulkifli

BANTING, Dec 20 (Bernama) -- The government will continue to intensify efforts to strengthen pondok (religious boarding school) institutions nationwide through a more systematic and structured approach, in line with the mandate set by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Dr Zulkifli Hasan said the initiative has been implemented in stages in collaboration with pondok institutions across the country to ensure its benefits are felt by students, teachers and the surrounding community.

He said pondok or madrasah institutions play a vital role in preserving the identity and intellectual tradition of Malay Muslims, not only through education but also as centres for nurturing moral values and deepening religious understanding, while remaining relevant in addressing future challenges.

“Pondok institutions have made significant contributions since the early years of independence. However, today we want to see these institutions continue to progress and move forward.

“Based on discussions with the teachers earlier, we view the outlook as very positive, and we will put in place the best possible plans to develop a more systematic framework,” he said when officiating the convocation ceremony of Pondok Moden Tahfiz Saadah Addaarain Teluk Panglima Garang here today.

Zulkifli said that as part of long-term efforts to empower religious education institutions, the government has established the Pondok Secretariat under the Yayasan Dakwah Islamiah Malaysia (YADIM) to coordinate the development of pondok institutions in a more systematic manner.

The government will also assess various approaches to ensure that every initiative implemented delivers greater and more meaningful impact, not only on the pondok institutions as a whole, but also on students and teachers who form the backbone of the Islamic education ecosystem.

He said that the government views pondok institutions as a vital component of community development, particularly in shaping identity and instilling noble values among the younger generation.

“YADIM has begun implementing various initiatives, including the Muzakarah Umara’ dan Ulama’ Pondok Kebangsaan (UMARA) 2025, which brought together scholars and leaders in several locations, including Putrajaya, Kelantan and Terengganu.

“Pondok institutions not only play a role in religious education, but also contribute significantly to building the character and identity of the ummah,” he said.

-- BERNAMA