Penang: The government will continue to strengthen community religious schools, including pondok and tahfiz institutions nationwide, through special allocations to improve facilities and educational equipment, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Anwar, who is also Finance Minister, announced that the government provided RM150 million last year, with the allocation increased to RM200 million this year to enhance facilities, including 11 projects involving religious schools and pondok institutions in Penang.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Anwar emphasized the importance of elevating the standing of religious education, as these pondok institutions and community religious schools have long served as a bulwark safeguarding the faith and moral values of the ummah. He highlighted the historical role of pondok institutions dating back to the colonial era, when they became a stronghold in defending faith, morality, and the identity of the ummah.

Anwar expressed the government's respect for the educational methodologies set by scholars and teachers at pondok institutions and encouraged their cooperation to implement improvement efforts in line with current developments. He reiterated the need for religious education institutions to master new technologies, including artificial intelligence, to ensure Muslims are not left behind in the tide of progress.

The Prime Minister also urged religious schools to strengthen proficiency in the Malay language as a language of knowledge and to enhance the teaching of Malaysian history. This is to ensure the younger generation understands the foundations of nationhood and the Federal Constitution, including key guarantees such as Islam as the religion of the Federation, the position of the Malay Rulers, and the Malay language as the national language.

Anwar stressed the importance of progress through knowledge and technology while remaining rooted in values, decorum, and morality. He mentioned plans to hold discussions with several leaders, including Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek, Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir, and Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Dr Zulkifli Hasan, to formulate the best approach to strengthening religious schools and pondok institutions.