The Second Meeting, Third Year of the Fifteenth Perak State Assembly at Bangunan Perak Darul Ridzuan

IPOH, 10 September 2025 - The Perak State Assembly today passed the Islamic Religious Schools Control Enactment Bill (Perak) 2025 after being debated and wound up during the Second Meeting, Third Year of the Fifteenth Perak State Assembly at Bangunan Perak Darul Ridzuan.

The motion for the Bill was tabled by Perak Menteri Besar and also Kota Tampan Assemblyman Dato’ Seri Saarani Mohamad, and was unanimously approved without amendments by 15 State Assemblymen (ADUN) from the government and opposition, replacing the old enactment of 1996.

In his winding-up speech, Dato’ Seri Saarani Mohamad expressed his appreciation to all ADUNs who supported the state government's efforts to strengthen the administration of Islamic education institutions to be more organised, transparent and effective.

“Although there are differences of opinion regarding technical details and implementation, basically all debaters share the same aspiration, which is to uphold the dignity of Islamic education and strengthen the role of religious schools as a platform for nurturing knowledgeable and virtuous generations,” he said.

According to him, the new enactment, among other things, improves several definitions, such as ‘Chief Registrar’, referring to the principal position in school registration matters, as well as the definition of ‘premises’, which includes any building used for schooling purposes. The definition of ‘school’ has also been refined to encompass all categories of Islamic religious schools, including Government-Aided Religious Schools (SABK).

He said the methods for implementing the law will be formulated by the Perak Islamic Religious Department (JAIPk), involving engagement sessions with various parties, including school management boards, teachers, administrators and also state assemblymen.

"The Assemblymen can also propose conditions, timelines, procedures for registration or school closures during the engagement sessions, including measures to prevent schools from being involved with deviant religious teachings," he elaborated.

Regarding concerns over the status of SABK, Dato’ Seri Saarani stressed that the enforcement of the new enactment does not affect the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Ministry of Education Malaysia and the School Management Board (LPS).

He clarified that the Perak State Government continues to assist SABK in co-curricular aspects, whether through JAIPk or the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM).

The debate session also touched on issues of teacher welfare, school facilities and proposals to improve the competency of teaching staff. Among the matters raised were the review of KAFA teacher allowances, professional training courses, enculturation of digitalisation and the need to increase the number of religious schools in densely populated areas.

He added that the Perak State Government will establish a special task force to examine issues related to religious school infrastructure and the welfare of teachers and staff so that comprehensive action can be taken.

In addition, he explained that the Perak State Government always pays attention to the development of religious schools in the state.

He explained that various allocations have been channelled, including almost RM800,000 for upgrading religious schools in the Bagan Serai parliamentary constituency this year alone, along with the construction of new blocks in several people’s religious schools in Lahat, Menglembu and Bota.

“Religious schools should not be used as political polemics. They are the pillars of the development of the community and will continue to be given attention and support as long as I am entrusted to lead the state,” he said.

Through this new enactment, the administration of Islamic religious schools in Perak is expected to be more organised, effective and relevant to current challenges, in line with the aspirations of Perak Sejahtera 2030.

Source : Corporate, SUK Perak.