Tahfiz gets closure order

Religious school where students allegedly sodomised operated illegally

KUALA LUMPUR: The tahfiz (Islam religious school) in Kepong where at least nine students were allegedly sodomised by the principal has been ordered closed by Federal Territories Minister Khalid Samad.

“We checked with Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) and Federal Territory Islamic Religious Department (Jawi) and neither received any application to operate the tah- fiz,” he said.

He said DBKL would no longer tolerate any illegal tahfiz.

“Anyone who currently runs or plans to set up a tahfiz must seek approval from DBKL and Jawi,” he said.

He said a discussion would be held soon to discuss when to close down other illegal tahfiz in Kuala Lumpur as well as how to better regulate such religious schools.

“Do not use religion as an excuse to take short cuts and give sub- standard quality,” he said after launching the first-of-its-kind KL strata community meditation centre at Menara PT80 here yesterday.

The principal of the tahfiz, who was detained by the police for allegedly sodomising nine students, was recently charged in court.

Khalid urged parents to find out if a particular tahfiz or private boarding school was registered with either Jawi or DBKL before sending their children there.

“Please ensure your children’s safety, comfort and health is not compromised by sending your children there.

“Do not settle for a school in a cincai (haphazard) way just because it is a religious institution. Do not assume that just because the teachers look religious and pious means nothing will go wrong,” he said.

Earlier, Khalid said the new Kuala Lumpur mayor’s name had been submitted to the King and he hoped to make an official announcement next week.