THE state government constantly reviews the need for the construction of madrasahs or tahfiz schools from time to time.
Deputy Minister of Utility and Telecommunication Datuk Dr. Abdul Rahman Junaidi, who oversees Islamic affairs in Sarawak, said there is one religious school in Balingian, namely SK Agama Majlis Islam Sarawak Mukah, which is equipped with male and female dormitory facilities.
“Additionally, there is a private tahfiz, Madrasah Al-Quran Mukah, and two Quran and Fardhu Ain (KAFA) class premises at SK Parish and SK Kuala Balingian.
“For information, the maximum capacity for SK Agama Majlis Islam Sarawak (MIS) Mukah is 300 students, consisting of 12 classes from Year One to Year Six.
“The current number of students is 279, with 126 male students and 153 female students,” he said in response to Abdul Yakub Arbi (GPS-Balingian) on the suggestion to implement the tahfiz school in Balingian constituency during the question and answer session in the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting today.
However, Abdul Rahman also said that in accordance with the Education Act 1996 (Act 550), which provides for the teaching of Islam, “If in any educational institution there are five or more students who are Muslims, then those students shall be given Islamic education by a teacher approved by the state authority.”
