Anwar: Allocations for Chinese, Tamil schools to be announced in two weeks

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said aid given to Islamic education institutions does not mean the government is neglecting vernacular schools, adding that allocations for Chinese and Tamil schools have been approved and will be announced soon.

"If this country wants peace, we must give to and look after everyone. Many children in pondok schools and maahad tahfiz have been left behind with no aid, so we increased the assistance," he said, as reported by Bernama.

"So let me stress again, for programmes and aid for Chinese and Tamil schools, we have set a schedule and it will be announced in Kuala Lumpur in two weeks."

He was speaking at the opening of the Gelombang Madani Masjid Tanah carnival in Alor Gajah today, also attended by his wife Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, Melaka Chief Minister Ab Rauf Yusoh and Deputy Higher Education Minister Adam Adli.

Anwar said the approach reflected the government's commitment to ensuring every segment of society receives due attention, thereby preserving peace and harmony in a multiracial and multireligious country.

"We are peaceful. Imagine, there are Chinese, Indians and many Malays here, there are religious schools and maahad tahfiz, but it is peaceful. People respect one another," he said.

"In other states and countries, it is difficult. Multiracial countries struggle to gather like this because of suspicion, hatred, distrust and hostility. In the end the country becomes the victim."

He also spoke on the concept of 'ummatan wasatan' in Surah Al-Baqarah verse 143, saying Muslims must be a balanced community in faith, knowledge, character and in their relations with fellow humans and the environment.

"If our conduct is good, our character is good, our state is clean of misconduct and corruption... and we do not destroy the environment, the hills and the trees as we please, only then are we balanced," he said.

Anwar said efforts to strengthen Islamic education institutions had been stepped up since the unity government was formed in 2022, after aid to people's religious schools had previously been halted. He resumed the aid in 2023 and increased it in 2024.

"We repair pondok schools, provide AI and computer training there... Otherwise, we have other schools such as Chinese and Tamil schools that are well managed, while pondok schools are left behind. That cannot be," he said.

At the same event, he announced a total allocation of RM1.29 million to upgrade the infrastructure of 13 Islamic education institutions in Melaka.

Recipients include Madrasah Tahfiz Al-Quran Wal Qiraat Kota Melaka (RM250,000); Sekolah Rendah Arab Jabatan Agama Islam Melaka Pernu (RM200,000); Sekolah Menengah Arab Al-Ahmadiah Al-Syafi'iyah Sayyidina Khadijah, Jasin (RM160,000); Sekolah Agama Rakyat Durian Tunggal (RM140,000); and Sekolah Agama Rakyat Taman Maju (RM100,000).