THE Federal Territories Ministry has ordered the closure of the Darul As-Syabab tahfiz school, whose principal is a suspect in recent sodomy cases.

The Star reported that minister Khalid Samad has also ordered the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) to clamp down on other illegal tahfiz centres.

He said the fact that such centres are also religious institutions should not be reason for the authorities to be relaxed about the legality of their status.

The tahfiz school in Kepong was found to be operating without any approval from the authorities and lacking in safety features.

The centre came into the spotlight after news that its principal was charged for sodomising at least nine boys studying at the centre.

Khalid said parents should first ensure that a tahfiz school is registered with either the Federal Territory Islamic Religious Department (Jawi) or DBKL before sending their children there. – September 25, 2018.