KUALA LUMPUR: The Home Ministry is collaborating with police to screen teachers, wardens and staff at tahfiz schools to prevent those with sexual offence records from working there.
Deputy Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Shamsul Anuar Nasarah told the Dewan Negara today that checks, including spot checks, are being carried out using the police criminal database to ensure those with past convictions were not allowed to return to teaching or assume roles involving children.
He said that the ministry had never attempted to cover up such cases and had always been transparent in handling them.
“In principle, the police provide liaison officers for schools registered under the Education Ministry only.
“But for tahfiz institutions, however, the police take their own initiatives such as holding awareness programmes, town hall sessions and doing regular patrols at high-risk schools which the Home Ministry has identified.
“We also work closely with the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) to identify schools that require safety inspections and social protection measures,” he said in response to a question by Perlis senator Baharuddin Ahmad.
He added that more measures were being implemented by the police and the Home Ministry to safeguard students, and details would be shared in a written reply.
Last year, the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (Jais) said it will shut down any private religious school in the state found to be involved in abuse, sexual harassment, or activities that violate Islam.
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