Jakim pleased with RM1.3bil allocation for Islamic affairs

PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) has welcomed the increase in allocations to manage Islamic affairs as announced under Budget 2020.

“In general, there has been an increase in the budget to manage Islamic matters compared to previous years,” Jakim director-general Datuk Mohamad Nordin Ibrahim said in a Facebook post on Saturday (Oct 12).

He was commenting on Budget 2020 that was tabled on Friday (Oct 11) in Parliament.

Among others, the budget includes allocations for Islamic affairs under the Prime Minister’s Department to be increased to RM1.3bil in 2020 from RM1.2bil this year.

“What makes me happy is the announcement of RM10mil to boost Jakim’s Rahmatan Lil-Alamin programme,” he said.

Mohamad Nordin added that he was also pleased with the allocations for religious teachers through the budget for religious schools and tahfiz institutions.

Under Budget 2020, allowances for 33,200 Al-Quran and Fardhu Ain class teachers will be increased by RM100 a month through an additional allocation of RM46mil.

There will also be a one-off RM500 special allowance for each imam, bilal (muazzin), mosque custodians and takmir teacher to appreciate their role in society.