Jakarta:Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced an increase in the allocation for Islamic affairs to RM3.1 billion under Budget 2027, up from RM2.6 billion this year. The budget, themed "Reaching for the Sky, Rooted in the Ground," was presented in the Dewan Rakyat.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Prime Minister, who also serves as Finance Minister, introduced a special incentive of RM150 a month for 500 Religious and Fardu Ain Class (KAFA) teachers working with special needs students, including those using sign language and Braille Quran.

The government will also fully cover Social Security Organisation (Socso) contributions for all 40,000 religious personnel, including imams, bilal, tok siak, noja, marbut, and takmir teachers, through Lembaga Tabung Haji.

To maintain classical Islamic scholarly knowledge, the Malaysia Pondok and Turath Advisory Council is being established, engaging international scholars like Sheikh Ali Gomaa and Sheikh Idris al-Fasi. Additionally, the Sijil Turath Malaysia is being introduced to support pondok institutions.

A collaboration between the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) and the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) will provide digital devices and skills training to teachers and students in over 300 pondok schools nationwide. The Creative Dakwah Programme will produce engaging dakwah content for the younger generation using digital media, influencers, and Artificial Intelligence (AI).