THE federal government is allocating more than RM103 million to imams, bilal, siak, takmir and Kafa (religious and Fardu Ain class) teachers in Kelantan this year, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said today.

A total of 1,170 imams will receive RM11.9 million, 341 takmir teachers will get RM3.68 million and 5,470 Kafa teachers will be given RM82.79 million.

“A special one-off RM600 payment will be continued this year for imams, bilal, siak and takmir teachers, with 2,605 recipients and an allocation of RM1.56 million,” Anwar said at the 2023 Kelantan state-level Ulama and Umara Madani programme at the Sultan Ismail Petra Silver Jubilee Islamic Complex in Panji today.

He also said the government’s contributions of RM232.80 per person under the Social Security Organisation’s Self-Employment Injury Scheme would be continued for imams, bilal, siak and takmir teachers in Kelantan, involving 2,605 recipients with a total annual allocation of RM606,444.

“The government also wants Islamic agencies to be the best examples in management and governance efficiency. This is the challenge we must take up together, not only at the federal level but also at individual states.

“For example, we must stress financial management and administration governance of Islamic affairs. We don’t want to be involved in any misconduct,” he said, adding that the government, through Yayasan Taqwa has channelled aid amounting to RM2.65 million so far to the Kelantan disaster assistance fund.

“This includes RM829,225 for the construction of new homes, RM1.53 million for repairs to homes, RM278,700 to repair mosques and surau, and RM10,000 to repair educational institutions.” – Bernama, May 12, 2023.