THE Penang government today urged tahfiz school operators to register their institutions and request for help from the administration to ensure their premises met safety requirements.

State religious affairs executive councillor Abdul Malik Abul Kassim said there were 67 tahfiz schools in Penang, 47 of which were registered and 20 not registered.

He said tahfiz schools, like other religious schools, must be registered with the Penang Islamic Council, a requirement under the Administration of the Religion of Islam (State of Penang) Enactment 2004.

He said the Penang government would not let any school operator off the hook should they be found to be neglecting the safety of children.

“The state will monitor tahfiz schools more closely to make sure they are up to standard in regard to safety requirements.

“Action against errant tahfiz schools that neglect their students’ safety will be taken from time to time. We will not compromise on this kind of negligence,” he said after the weekly exco meeting at Komtar today.

Malik said his office had scheduled meetings with several related parties this afternoon to discuss the matter and propose ways to increase safety at tahfiz schools.

“There will be many more meetings and programmes, which will help the authorities identify tahfiz schools failing to meet required safety standards, to come.

“The state will also assist and share expertise, with the help of other authorities like the Fire and Rescue Department, with school operators to boost safety at their premises,” he said.

Tahfiz schools had recently come under the spotlight across the country following last Thursday’s fire at the Pusat Tahfiz Darul Quran Ittifaqiyah religious school in Jalan Datuk Keramat, Kuala Lumpur. The early morning blaze killed 21 students and two wardens. 

Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government Minister Noh Omar said the school had been operating in the building without building approval from the local authorities. 

Following the incident, the Penang government said it would take action against any tahfiz institution that failed to observe safety guidelines.

Deputy Chief Minister I Mohd Rashid Hasnon said tahfiz school operators, including those from unregistered institutions, need not fear coming forward for help from the state.

“We are asking building owners to come for meetings because we need to conduct safety assessments at their premises. There is nothing to worry about because the state’s intention is to help.

“Many schools are still not registered. Many are renting residential units to use as tahfiz schools, like what kindergartens have been doing. 

“They can’t run from safety issues at their own premises. Everyone must follow the Uniform Building Bylaw,” he said.

Meanwhile, state health exco Dr Afif Bahardin said the onus was on tahfiz school operators and parents to make sure their children are safe at school.

He said all parties should exercise more awareness in following safety guidelines.

“All religions teach us to value life. As citizens, we have to play our part as well, (and not just rely on) the government.

“If we don’t value life and follow the law, we will see a repeat of such disasters and the same questions and issues about enforcement will be raised all over again.”

Yesterday, Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the Education Act 1996 would be amended to regulate the registration and governance of private religious schools.