Pahang religious council orders Lanchang tahfiz school to close

KUANTAN: The Pahang Islamic Religious and Malay Customs Council (MUIP) has ordered a tahfiz school at Kampung Kuala Kuang in Lanchang, Temerloh, to close following the death of a 7year-old boy on Thursday from alleged abuse by his schoolmates.

MUIP deputy president Datuk Seri Wan Abdul Wahid Wan Hassan said the move was made because the school had been operating without a permit.

“Based on our records, the operators had not submitted documents or made an application to register the religious centre since it started operating early this year.

“I signed the directive for the centre to be closed after realising it was facing several issues. To open a tahfiz centre, one has to get approvals.

“In this case, the operator was aware of the requirements, but failed to take action.”

Wahid said the tahfiz centre had only one teacher and the council was not sure if the individual was qualified to teach.

“We could not determine if the teacher had obtained a certificate in tahfiz education.

“This is one of several aspects that tahfiz centres must comply with before they can get MUIP’s approval to enrol students.

“We will also look into the subjects, syllabus and curriculum offered.

“We are concerned about the safety aspects too. There have been incidents involving tahfiz centres, including fire outbreaks. We do not want to put lives at risk.”

It was reported that the Pahang government would draw up guidelines for some 80 maahad tahfiz (religious schools) operating in the state to safeguard the welfare of students.

The then menteri besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob had said the recommendations would be drafted following a brainstorming session and seminar between the religious school administrators and the state government.

Wahid said operators of unregistered tahfiz centres need to obtain a licence before Dec 31.

“Beginning January, MUIP will close down centres that fail to comply with the ruling.”