PUTRAJAYA, Oct 17 — The Madani Government has increased the allocation for religious affairs to RM3.1 billion under Budget 2027 to strengthen Islamic development, including support for religious education institutions and the welfare of religious personnel nationwide.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Dr Zulkifli Hasan said 85.4 per cent of the allocation was for operating expenditure, while the remaining 14.6 per cent was set aside for development expenditure.

He said the increase reflected the government’s commitment to a more comprehensive agenda to elevate the stature of Islam and benefit society.

“The Madani Government continues to place special emphasis on this agenda by allocating RM200 million for sekolah agama rakyat (community religious schools), tahfiz institutions and sekolah pondok (traditional Islamic boarding schools) registered with the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim).

“The scope of assistance has also been expanded to cover the operating costs of these institutions,” he said in a statement here today.

Zulkifli said the government would also provide a special contribution of RM750 each to 70,000 religious personnel, including Kelas Al-Quran dan Fardu Ain (Kafa) teachers, takmir teachers, imams, bilals, tok siaks, nojas and marbuts, in recognition of their contributions to the community.

He said 500 Kafa teachers who taught students with special needs, including those who used sign language or the Braille Quran, would receive a special monthly incentive of RM150.

“The well-being of those who enliven the Houses of Allah is further supported by a special government allocation that fully covers Social Security Organisation contributions for 40,000 imams, bilals, tok siaks, mosque staff and takmir teachers.

“The Pilgrims Fund Board (Tabung Haji) serves as the implementing agency, ensuring continuous social security protection and providing peace of mind to these individuals as they serve the ummah,” he said.

In a related development, Zulkifli said amendments to the Road Transport Act requiring drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs to compensate victims or their families contained elements consistent with the Islamic legal concept of diyat, or financial compensation.

He said the concept recognised the right of victims or their heirs to receive compensation for harm caused by another person’s actions.

Zulkifli said the government was also strengthening the halal industry by offering matching grants of up to RM5,000 to micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) seeking halal certification for the first time.

A separate grant of RM25,000 would be available to empower halal-certified MSMEs in high-potential sectors, including cosmetics and pharmaceuticals, he added.

In the Islamic education sector, he said Jakim and the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) had initiated a collaboration to provide digital devices and skills training to teachers and students at more than 300 pondok schools nationwide.

Zulkifli said the initiatives reflected the government’s approach of focusing not only on economic and infrastructure development but also on nurturing a knowledgeable, ethical and prosperous society.

“This Budget 2027 framework is formulated based on a philosophy that aspires to reach for the skies while remaining firmly rooted on the ground.

“We aim to elevate the nation’s economy and the stature of Islam to the pinnacle of success, guided by a far-sighted vision,” he said.

He added that the government’s priorities and policy implementation would remain grounded in reality, with the ultimate aim of safeguarding the welfare and well-being of Malaysians. — Bernama

* Editor’s note: Jakim is the abbreviation for Jabatan Kemajuan Islam Malaysia in Malay, or the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia in English. Tahfiz refers to the memorisation of the Quran and, in this context, institutions dedicated to teaching it. Takmir refers to religious classes or activities organised to enliven and strengthen mosque life. Kafa stands for Kelas Al-Quran dan Fardu Ain, or Quran and Fardu Ain classes that teach children Quran recitation and memorisation, as well as basic Islamic religious obligations and practices. Bilal refers to a mosque official who assists the imam and calls Muslims to prayer. Tok siak refers to a mosque caretaker or attendant. Noja (plural: nojas) refers to a person responsible for maintaining a mosque and assisting with its daily operations. Marbut refers to a mosque caretaker or person responsible for its upkeep.