TODAY’s 23 deaths from a tahfiz school fire has prompted Putrajaya to set up a panel to investigate the tragedy and look into standards and guidelines for such schools.

Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the immediate government effort was a lesson from tragedies that involved religious schools across the country.

More tahfiz schools have been set up, despite lacking approvals from the relevant authorities.

“We will form a committee immediately without discussing in Cabinet this Wednesday because that would take too long. We cannot let the same thing happen again.

“What is important (now) is prevention. We do not want any owners to say it is a hassle because this is a precautionary measure,” he said at a press conference at Kuala Lumpur Hospital today.

Zahid first visited the Forensics Department mortuary to visit the family members of the victims and convey his condolences.

His expression was grim when he spoke to reporters.

He had earlier visited the burnt Darul Quran Ittifaqiyah Tahfiz Centre in the Datuk Keramat suburb that caught fire this morning, and said the school lacked safety features.

Zahid, who is also home minister, said even if the school building was temporary, it should have followed guidelines.

“It is understood that the compound is temporary because they are currently renovating the permanent tahfiz school.

“However I want to repeat that we have guidelines for tahfiz schools and they should be complied with, even if the school is temporary.”

He said he was not blaming any party, but stressed that safety should be taken seriously by everyone, adding that he had no intention to interfere in or take over the administration of tahfiz schools.

“Everyone’s life should be prioritised. Although the religious aspect in education is the main focus, the safety aspects should be maintained as well.

“Although we are focusing on the Hereafter, other aspects on Earth should also be a priority, including safety aspects,” he told reporters in front of the tahfiz school earlier. – September 14, 2017.