Budget 2018: RM50 million for tahfiz schools

In addition, he said, the government would also introduce the Giatmara Skills Training Scheme to enable Tahfiz school students to have more skills.

"Recently, the whole nation was shocked by the heart-wrenching incident..the tragedy of the fire at the Darul Quran Ittifaqiyah Tahfiz Centre in which 23 people were killed. My deepest condolences to the families involved.

"In order to uphold the greatness of Islam and strengthen the human identity, especially the management of tahfiz schools, RM50 million is allocated to GiatMara for the upgrade and maintenance of wiring systems in all registered tahfiz schools nationwide," said Najib when tabling the 2018 Budget in Dewan Rakyat, here.

He said a one off payment of RM1,500 would be given to imam (person who heads prayers), bilal (muezzin), Quran and Fardu Ain (personal obligation) (KAFA) teachers and Takmir teachers (those entrusted to manage all mosque tasks and activities), in addition to the RM588 million allocated for the group for their monthly allowance.

"RM1,000 will be paid in January 2018 while the balance during Hari Raya Aidilfitri. This will benefit more than 65,000 individuals and involved an allocation of almost RM100 million," he said.

As a progressive and dynamic Islamic nation, Najib said the government also appreciated the deeds of the village heads and 'Tok Batin' (Orang Asli village headman) by announcing a one-off special payment of RM1,500 involving 9,800 individuals, with RM1,000 being paid on January 2018 and RM500 during Hari Raya Aidilfitri.

Meanwhile, the prime minister said, in the effort to ensure neighbourhood areas were always safe and peaceful, the government would continue to provide 1Malaysia People Community Grant up to RM10,000 each to registered resident associations to purchase security equipment, clean and maintain neighbourhood areas with an allocation of RM40 million.

In addition, he added, RM40 million was allocated for GiatMara to implement the first phase of community training programmes, involving 50 Public Housing Projects. -- Bernama