PM Anwar Ibrahim Approves RM4.6 Million to Upgrade Infrastructure at 27 Penang Islamic Schools

BUTTERWORTH, Aug 29 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has approved an additional RM4.6 million this year to upgrade basic infrastructure at 27 Islamic educational institutions across Penang.

The allocation represents a substantial increase from the RM2.11 million provided last year, which funded upgrading works across 11 Islamic educational institutions in the state.

Speaking at the National Tadabbur Perdana and Maidah Wanita MADANI Permatang Pauh programmes at Masjid Muhajirin today, Anwar, who also serves as Finance Minister, detailed the scope of the new funding.

“Last year in Penang, we added more than RM2 million. This year, I announced RM4.6 million for people’s religious institutions. It is for upgrading works, including walls and fences, madrasahs, schools, new kindergarten buildings and tahfiz academies,” he said.

The Prime Minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to prioritizing the infrastructure needs of people’s religious schools and Islamic educational institutions to elevate religious education standards nationwide.

Anwar also highlighted the need for Islamic education to keep pace with technological advancements, including the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into Quranic and Islamic studies. However, he emphasized that technological adaptation must be anchored in strong moral principles.

“AI must have values. AI must be rooted in morality. It should not be used simply to develop talent and understanding without values and morality,” Anwar stressed.

In addition, the Prime Minister urged the public to utilize the nation’s open environment to organize continuous religious activities—such as Quran classes, tadabbur sessions, and lectures—to foster a deeper, genuine understanding of Islamic teachings.

–NMT