Government Expands Scope Of RM200 Million Aid For Islamic Educational Institutions To Cover Operating Costs

KUALA LUMPUR, 14 Okt – The Malaysian government has allocated RM200 million for sekolah agama rakyat (community religious schools), tahfiz institutions, and pondok schools under Budget 2027, expanding the assistance framework to encompass operational expenses alongside physical infrastructure maintenance.

Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Marhamah Rosli confirmed during the Dewan Rakyat question-and-answer session on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, that the allocation was announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim during the Budget 2027 tabling last Friday.

Marhamah stated that as of April 30, 2026, the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) had disbursed RM22.5 million from a special Federal Government allocation to 309 registered Islamic educational institutions across the country for maintenance and upgrading projects.

Since May 2026, coordination of the special allocation has transitioned to the Implementation Coordination Unit of the Prime Minister’s Department (ICU JPM), with funding being disbursed in scheduled phases.

Marhamah was responding to a parliamentary question from Datuk Ahmad Saad @ Yahaya (PN-Pokok Sena) regarding the progress of maintenance allocations and Federal Government assistance for registered Islamic schools.

Eligible Funding Categories and Scope of Infrastructure Upgrades

In response to a supplementary question from Aminolhuda Hassan (PH-Sri Gading) on the specific types of works eligible for funding, Marhamah outlined six key areas covered under the financial support scheme:

• Safety: Implementation of measures to enhance physical security for students and staff.
• Infrastructure Maintenance & Upgrading: Structural repairs and facility enhancements across school grounds.
• Fire Prevention: Installation and upgrading of fire safety equipment and mitigation systems.
• Electrical Wiring: Comprehensive rewiring and electrical system overhauls to reduce short-circuit risks.
• Building Improvements: General refurbishment and repairs to existing school premises.
• Plumbing Systems: Upgrading and repairing water supply lines, sanitation facilities, and drainage systems.

The government expressed confidence that broadening the funding scope will provide comprehensive support to elevate standards across all eligible Islamic educational institutions nationwide.

–NMT