SHAH ALAM - Selangor's Sultan, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah Alhaj has expressed his strong disapproval of a slanderous statement claiming that over 200 tahfiz schools in Selangor were going to be shut down.
His Majesty found this statement irresponsible and regrettable.
Sultan Sharafuddin stressed that such slanderous claims could cause unnecessary worry among parents and erode the public's trust in religious institutions and authorities, particularly in Selangor.
"Recently there was a commotion regarding slander displayed towards Selangor religious and local authorities that allegedly 200 tahfiz schools in Selangor were ordered to close causing thousands of students to lose a place to learn.
"I want those who hurled such slander and accusations to receive the correct facts before simply making baseless accusations," His Majesty said.
The Selangor Sultan represented the Malaysian Islamic Affairs (MKI) National Council Chairman stated in conjunction with the 70th MKI meeting at the Shah Alam Islamic Lecture and Muzarakah Hall, Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah Mosque, Shah Alam that was also attended by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
His majesty said the group must stop such treacherous and irresponsible actions.
"If we continue with such slander and treachery, I request that the police immediately track down this group and take legal actions against them.
"In reality, I have ordered reparation measures to be taken against personal and private religious and tahfiz schools that are not registered by ordering registrations to be done to ensure schools were safe in terms of safety features and for it to have a comfortable learning environment for students to gain knowledge," His Majesty said.
His Majesty commented on MKI's commitment in empowering Islamic education and said it was a manifestation of the Council of Rulers' trust to see that the governance of Islamic Education Institutions in Malaysia can be better coordinated and organised.
The Selangor Sultan stated it became the responsibility of all parties to ensure the education institution was of quality and fulfilled the aspirations of parents, public and the nation to give birth to students equipped for the world and hereafter.
His Majesty urged any tahfiz institutions that have yet to register with religious authorities in the state to do so for the aid and allocation to be channelled as acceptable for registered Islamic education institutions.
"I suggest that the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) to prepare the paperworks to create a comprehensive policy and procedure for the registration of tahfiz institutions to be adopted in all states," His Majesty added.