‘School for Rohingya kids used for personal gain’
BALING: For almost a year, a house at a secluded spot in Kampung Jawa, near Kuala Ketil here, was home to some 30 Rohingya children.
It was rented by a Bangladeshi man, in his 40s, as a temporary building for Maahad Anak-Anak Yatim Rohingya, a private school purportedly aimed at providing Islamic education to Rohingya orphans.
It had been buzzing with the sounds of children reciting and memorising the Quran since July last year. But, several months ago, the “ustaz” (religious teacher) and children disappeared, and the house became eerily quiet.
A neighbour, who declined to be named, said he heard the ustaz had left the house after his cover was blown, as he had allegedly been using the money donated for personal use.
Checks at the house showed that it was empty, except for a banner asking for donations to support its operations for Ramadan in May.
Government retiree Zainal Sulaiman, whose name appeared on the banner as the school’s chairman, said he was grateful that he was not dragged into the scam.
Zainal, who was born in Alor Star, but resides in Ipoh, Perak, said he met the ustaz a few years ago, when the latter was organising a donation drive to help Rohingya children.
“Out of sympathy for the children, I felt I needed to help him and offered to support his noble cause.”
He said he had agreed to donate his plot of land in Kampung Ruat, Yan, to develop a permanent building for the school.
“With the help of my brother who lives in Alor Star, we prepared the paperwork to register the school with the authorities.
“I provided some financial support to the ustaz and Rohingya children, and set aside an allocation to build a permanent building for the school.”
However, as Zainal was rolling out the plan, the ustaz had used the Rohingya children to elicit donations behind his back.
It is learnt that the ustaz had been channelling some of the donations to the parents of the Rohingya children, so that they were allowed to stay with him.
The bulk of the funds was allegedly used by the ustaz for his personal use, such as taking a second wife.
“One of his kids told me the truth a few months ago, and I have since stopped funding the school for fear that the ustaz will continue to exploit children.”
Kedah Islamic Religious Department (Jaik) director Datuk Abdul Rahman Ismail said the case was an example of why it should be compulsory for private religious schools to be registered.
He said this would allow authorities to vet the background of school administrators and other aspects, especially on curriculum and safety.
Kedah Islamic Religious Affairs Committee chairman Datuk Mohd Rawi Abd Hamid said many tahfiz schools were reluctant to register as they received financial support from individuals and corporate sector.
He said as some of the schools were not dependent on the government, they preferred not to have any official ties with authorities.
“It is difficult for the government to get them to register as they operate on wakaf or private land, but they should realise that by registering with Jaik, they will get support from the federal and state governments.”