By Norrasyidah Arshad
SHAH ALAM, Feb 23 — The state government has stepped in to assist at least 70 per cent of the over 300 unlicensed tahfiz schools in Selangor, who will be allowed to operate under new guidelines soon.
This accounts for over 200 private religious education institutions currently operating in the state without a licence.
State executive councillor for Islam Dr Fahmi Ngah said that via the second phase of Selangor’s regularisation programme, which is scheduled for implementation next month, the administration will provide updated guidelines to assist operators in obtaining their licences.
"Previously, there were over 500 unlicensed institutions. Under the first regularisation phase conducted last year, we aided approximately 35 per cent of the centres in registering themselves.
"Now, as we prepare for the second phase, we are refining the programme. There may be amendments or relaxation of conditions to ensure all centres meet the criteria and can easily obtain licences from the respective local authorities," he said.
Fahmi was speaking at the appointment and conferment ceremony for 31 members of various state Islamic institutions for the 2024-2026 term.
He added the regularisation programme would be executed in collaboration with government agencies, including local authorities, as well as Land and District Offices.
This will be done following the conclusion of the upcoming State Legislative Assembly sitting, which will take place from February 27 to March 11.
"This plan has been deliberated with the Selangor Quran Tahfiz Institutions Association (Pitas). The process may take time, especially if it involves land issues," Fahmi said.
On August 17 last year, Pitas chairman Mohamad Hafiz Haneefa said nearly 50 private tahfiz schools in Selangor have been fully registered, in line with the religious school regularisation guidelines, which came into effect on January 1, 2021.
The registration of over 300 tahfiz centres and religious schools statewide would be carried out in stages as part of programme’s second phase.
