PAS cries foul as state funds pulled from 2 Islamic schools
Party’s information chief alleges state government is politicising education
(Free Malaysia Today) – Penang PAS has slammed the state government for abruptly cancelling annual funds for two of its Islamic schools – Sekolah Rendah Islam Al-Ansor (SRIA) dan Sekolah Rendah Islam Bahrul Ulum (SRIBU).
Its information chief Mohd Yusni Mat Piah said the state Islamic religious department (Jaipp) had informed SRIA that the school would receive its annual state allocation in a letter dated September 3 only to withdraw it later on the same day.
He fired a broadside at the DAP-helmed Pakatan Harapan state government for allegedly cutting funding for SRIA and SRIBU due to its political differences with PAS.
“Both schools were suddenly omitted from the list of annual recipients of state funds,” Yusni said, adding that the party was disappointed with the state government’s attitude.
He added, “The state Pakatan Harapan government should not politicise education.”
Last week, state executive councillor in charge of Islamic affairs Abdul Malik Kassim told newsmen that the funds denied to the two schools had been channelled to six other needy “Pondok” schools shortlisted by the Jaipp.
He explained the state annual allocations for Islamic religious schools were not fixed grants but distributed based on the conditions and needs of the schools.
According to the state record, SRIBU has received RM276,500 from the state government since 2010 while SRIA has received RM111,500 since 2013 after its registration was approved on June 1, 2011.
Abdul Malik however, dismissed PAS allegations that the two schools were denied funding this year due to political differences, pointing out that many other religious schools under PAS’s administration had continued to receive funds.
Yusni meanwhile challenged the state government to show a comprehensive report on the needs of all religious schools in the state.
