KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 9 (Bernama) -- The allocation for Islamic affairs has increased to RM3.1 billion under Budget 2027, from RM2.6 billion last year, reflecting the government’s commitment to strengthening Islamic development, including religious education and the welfare of religious personnel.
Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) director-general Datuk Dr Sirajuddin Suhaimee said the government’s efforts to safeguard the welfare of religious personnel were in line with their role in providing Islamic education, guiding the community and supporting activities at mosques and surau.
“The welfare of religious personnel has also been strengthened, with the government fully covering Social Security Organisation (PERKESO) contributions for 40,000 personnel, including imams, bilals, tok siak, noja, marbut and takmir teachers, through Lembaga Tabung Haji.
“A special incentive of RM150 a month will also be given to 500 teachers of the Al-Quran and Fardu Ain Studies (KAFA) who teach pupils with special needs, including through sign language and the Braille Quran,” he said in a statement here today.
On the protection of life, Sirajuddin said the proposed amendments to the Road Transport Act requiring drivers convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs to compensate victims were in line with the principle of hifz al-nafs (preservation of life), one of the objectives of Maqasid Syariah, which emphasises the protection of human life and victims’ rights.
“JAKIM’s entire workforce is committed to ensuring the highest standards of governance and implementation efficiency so that every sen of public funds is used in the people’s best interests,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Selangor Islamic Religious Council (MAIS) described the government’s decision to fully cover PERKESO contributions for 40,000 religious personnel through Lembaga Tabung Haji as a positive step towards strengthening their social protection.
MAIS chairman Datuk Salehuddin Saidin said the initiative was welcome as it could help religious personnel carry out their duties more effectively and potentially boost their motivation, including among imams, bilals, tok siak, noja, marbut and takmir teachers, particularly those with specialised skills in teaching pupils with special needs.
“These groups play an important role in the development of the Muslim community, and efforts to strengthen their social protection should therefore be welcomed,” he told Bernama when contacted today.
The senior lawyer, who is also a Senator, said the increase in the allocation for Islamic affairs to RM3.1 billion from RM2.6 billion last year was a significant policy development reflecting the government’s attention to religious institutions and Islamic education.
However, he said a more comprehensive assessment was needed to determine the effectiveness of the additional allocation, including through scrutiny of its breakdown, implementation targets and intended objectives.
He said the development of the Muslim community should not be confined to physical development or institutional growth, but should also encompass the dissemination of knowledge, moral development, social justice and the ability of religious institutions to meet the community’s current needs.
When tabling Budget 2027 in the Dewan Rakyat today, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the government would continue to uphold the prominence of Islam in Malaysia.
He said the government would provide a special monthly incentive of RM150 to 500 KAFA teachers who teach pupils with special needs, including through sign language and the Braille Quran.
It would also fully cover PERKESO contributions for 40,000 religious personnel and provide a one-off contribution of RM750 to recognise the service of 70,000 KAFA teachers, takmir teachers, imams, bilals, tok siak, noja and marbut.
-- BERNAMA