IPOH: The Perak State Legislative Assembly today unanimously passed the Islamic Religious Schools Control Enactment Bill without any amendments.
The bill, comprising eight parts and 30 clauses, was tabled yesterday by Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad, then it was debated by assemblymen.
Fifteen assemblymen — five from the government bloc and 10 from the opposition — took part in the debate, then Saarani delivered his winding-up speech.
Following the speech, Speaker Datuk Mohammad Zahir Abdul Khalid announced that the bill was approved at its second and third readings with full support from the house.
Saarani said the new law was necessary to replace the Control of Islamic Religious Schools Enactment 1996, which had remained unchanged for more than two decades.
“This amendment is part of the state government’s efforts to introduce more comprehensive provisions so that the law can keep pace with current educational challenges.
“This will ensure Islamic religious schools remain relevant, competitive and capable of fulfilling the aspirations of the ummah.
“The new enactment gives the state government greater room to strengthen, coordinate and streamline the administration of Islamic educational institutions in Perak, making them more organised, effective and responsive to modern challenges.”
In his winding-up, Saarani stressed that while there were differing views on technical matters, all assemblymen shared the same goal of safeguarding the dignity of Islamic education.
He dismissed claims that the bill was politically motivated.
“Let no one accuse this bill of being a weapon to suppress or close down religious schools.
“On the contrary, it provides clear, fair and transparent legal provisions that allow these schools to operate with greater public confidence.”
Saarani said the state government would set up a task force to study issues raised during the debate, particularly relating to infrastructure and the welfare of teachers and staff.
The task force, he said, would include representatives from government departments, relevant agencies and the community to ensure all concerns were identified and addressed.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
