{
  "id": 15187561,
  "title": "Budget 2027: Islamic affairs gets RM3.1b, as minister outlines support for ‘pondok’ schools, imams and halal SMEs",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/17/budget-2027-islamic-affairs-gets-rm3-1b-as-minister-outlines-support-15187561",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-17T11:23:08.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Malay Mail",
    "slug": "malay-mail-malaymail",
    "url": "https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/10/17/budget-2027-islamic-affairs-gets-rm31b-as-minister-outlines-support-for-pondok-schools-imams-and-halal-smes/239498"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "PUTRAJAYA, Oct 17 — The Madani Government has increased the religious affairs allocation to RM3.1 billion for Budget 2027 to bolster Islamic development. Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Dr Zulkifli Hasan highlighted support for religious education institutions and personnel nationwide. 85.4% of the allocation, RM2.64 billion, is for operating expenditure, while 14.6% is for development expenditure. The increase reflects the government's commitment to a comprehensive agenda to elevate Islam's stature and benefit society. RM200 million is designated for community religious schools, tahfiz institutions, and pondok schools registered with the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim). The assistance now covers operating costs for these institutions. A special contribution of RM750 each is provided to 70,000 religious personnel, including Kafa teachers, takmir teachers, imams, and more, for their contributions. 500 Kafa teachers teaching students with special needs will receive a monthly incentive of RM150. Imams, bilals, tok siaks, mosque staff, and takmir teachers have their Social Security Organisation contributions fully covered. The Pilgrims Fund Board (Tabung Haji) ensures continuous social security protection. The government also introduced amendments to the Road Transport Act requiring alcohol/drug-impaired drivers to compensate victims, aligning with the Islamic legal concept of diyat. A matching grant of up to RM5,000 is offered to MSMEs seeking halal certification, with RM25,000 for empowered halal-certified MSMEs in high-potential sectors. A collaboration between Jakim and MDEC aims to provide digital devices and skills training to over 300 pondok schools nationwide. Zulkifli emphasized the government's focus on nurturing a knowledgeable, ethical, and prosperous society while safeguarding Malaysians' welfare. The Budget 2027 framework aspires to elevate the nation's economy and Islam's stature to the pinnacle of success, guided by a far-sighted vision.",
  "summary": "PUTRAJAYA, Oct 17 — The Madani Government has increased the allocation for religious affairs to RM3.1 billion unde...",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Bernama",
        "title": "General : Government Allocates RM3.1 Billion Under Budget 2027 For Islamic Development",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/17/general-government-allocates-rm3-1-billion-under-budget-2027-for",
        "published": "2026-10-17T09:04:03.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Govt allocates RM3.1b under 2027 Budget for Islamic development",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/17/govt-allocates-rm3-1b-under-2027-budget-for-islamic-development",
        "published": "2026-10-17T10:52:35.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Budget 2027: Islamic affairs gets RM3.1b, as minister outlines support for ‘pondok’ schools, imams and halal SMEs",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/17/budget-2027-islamic-affairs-gets-rm3-1b-as-minister-outlines-support",
        "published": "2026-10-17T11:23:08.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}