Special payment for religious group shows PM’s concern

SEMPORNA: The one-off payment of RM1,500 to 6�5,000 imam (person who heads prayers), bilal (muezzin), Quran and Fardu Ain (personal obligation) (KAFA) teachers, Takmir teachers (those entrusted to manage all mosque tasks and activities), and tok siak (mosque caretaker) in the 2018 Budget proves the government’s concern towards the religious group.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom said the allocation indicated Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak’s seriousness in including all walks of life, including Islamic preachers, in the budget.

“For example, imams are the central figures who are needed anytime, including during weddings, prayer recitals at programmes and prayers in mosques.

“...and the Prime Minister sees the importance of the religious group in the communities and they need to be appreciated,” he told reporters after the launching of the Malaysian Islamic Economic Development Foundation (YaPEIM) mobile counter at Pulau Bum-Bum yesterday.

Also present at the event was Senallang state assemblyman Datuk Seri Nasir Tun Sakaran.

Jamil said the allocation would motivate the religious group to continue carrying out their duties in a responsible manner.

Meanwhile in KOTA KINABALU, its Umno Youth chief Mohd Bahrin Abd Karim described the 2018 Budget as comprehensive in meeting the requirements of all strata of society.