KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 15 — The Cabinet approved in principle the recognition of the levels 6, 7 and 8 Malaysian Skills Certificate (SKM) as equivalent to a bachelor’s degree during a meeting two weeks ago.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said it is part of the Madani Government’s efforts to strengthen tahfiz institutions in the country.
Speaking at the 24K Huffaz Gathering here today, Zahid said he wants at least 10,000 tahfiz students to attend Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) courses by 2027.
“In less than two years, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s administration) has implemented TVET programmes in 17 tahfiz schools, and there are now 622 tahfiz students taking TVET courses.
“God willing, if the allocation is increased by 2027, 10,000 tahfiz students will be (involved) in TVET throughout the country,” he said at the ceremony, which was attended by Anwar.
Meanwhile, Zahid refuted the claims of a few irresponsible parties accusing the prime minister of neglecting Islamic affairs in his administration.
“In his nearly two years (in office), the prime minister, through the Madani Government, has always acted to dignify Islam as a priority,” said Zahid.
“I am a living witness that his priority is to continue integrating Islam without leaving aside other religions. This is the belief he prioritises for the integration of our religion,” he said.
More than 24,000 huffaz (Quran memorisers) from all over the country, including students, teachers and scholars from 1,500 tahfiz schools under the National Coalition of Tahfiz Al-Quran Institutions, attended the gathering.
The gathering was reignited by Zahid, who wanted to centre the agenda of reforming future generations based on Quran learning.
Among the other objectives of the 24K Huffaz Gathering, themed ‘“Huffaz: Pillars of Human Capital for the Country”, was to uplift the Quran, strengthen bonds of brotherhood, and educate, inspire and empower generations based on Quranic values for the benefit of society and country.
— Bernama
