Anwar approves RM4.6m for upgrades at 27 Penang Islamic institutions

BUTTERWORTH, August 29 — Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has allocated an extra RM4.6 million this year to enhance the basic infrastructure of 27 Islamic educational institutions in Penang. This represents a rise from the RM2.11 million provided last year for similar upgrades at 11 institutions in the state. As finance minister, Anwar stated that the funds will be utilized for various improvements across the selected institutions.

"Last year in Penang, we contributed over RM2 million. This year, I announced RM4.6 million for religious institutions," he declared during a speech at the National Tadabbur Perdana and Maidah Wanita Madani Permatang Pauh programmes held at Masjid Muhajirin here today. The investments will cover a range of projects, such as fortifying walls and fences, constructing or upgrading madrasahs, schools, new kindergarten buildings, and tahfiz academies.

Anwar emphasized the government's commitment to bolstering religious education facilities across the country, ensuring that these efforts keep pace with technological advancements like artificial intelligence (AI) in Quranic and Islamic studies. He cautioned, however, that technology must be grounded in strong moral principles and values, cautioning against its misuse solely to cultivate talent and understanding without these crucial foundations.

The prime minister also called on the public to leverage the freedoms available in the nation to organize more religious programs, aiming to deepen the populace's comprehension and appreciation of Islam's authentic teachings through regular activities including Quran classes, tadabbur sessions, and religious discourses.