Cabinet agrees to recognise SKM levels 6, 7, 8 as equivalent to bachelor's degree, says Zahid

KUALA LUMPUR: The Cabinet meeting two weeks ago has, in principle, approved the recognition of the Malaysian Skills Certificate (SKM) levels 6, 7, and 8 as equivalent to a Bachelor's Degree, says Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

The Deputy Prime Minister said this is part of the Madani government's efforts to further strengthen tahfiz institutions in the country.

Ahmad Zahid said he is targeting at least 10,000 tahfiz students to enrol in courses related to Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) by 2027.

“In less than two years of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s administration, with an initial 17 maahad tahfiz implementing the TVET programme, there are now 622 maahad tahfiz students enrolled in TVET courses.

“God willing, if the allocation is increased, my aim is that by 2027, we will have 10,000 maahad tahfiz students participating in TVET across the country,” said Zahid, who is also the National TVET Council chairman.

Zahid said this in his speech during the Huffaz 24K Assembly, which took place at Masjid Wilayah Persekutuan on Saturday (Sept 14).

Also present were Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Mohd Na'im Mokhtar, and Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain.

Further in his speech, Ahmad Zahid refuted claims made by irresponsible parties accusing the Prime Minister of neglecting Islamic affairs in his administration.

After almost two years of leading the federal administration, Ahmad Zahid said that efforts to elevate Islam have always been Anwar's priority.

“I have seen it firsthand, and I am a living witness that his priority is to continue upholding Islam without sidelining other religions. This is the creed (akidah) he emphasises for the comprehensive practice of our faith,” he said.

For the upcoming Budget 2025, Ahmad Zahid expressed hope that the government will increase allocation for the management and development of Islamic affairs to RM2bil.

He said this is due to the fact that more than 2,500 maahad tahfiz (Islamic religious schools) have yet to be registered, as they do not meet the necessary requirements to be recognised as educational institutions.

To date, he said a total of 1,199 maahad tahfiz have successfully been registered under the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim), comprising 125,000 registered students.

“It is worth noting that in the 2023 budget, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who is also the Finance Minister at the time, allocated RM1.4bil for Islamic affairs. This amount was increased to RM1.9bil in 2024.

“God willing, in next month’s 2025 Budget announcement, I believe more than RM2bil will be allocated to Islamic affairs.

“What is essential is that we continue to support him (Anwar), unite our hearts despite differing opinions, and maintain decorum in addressing such matters,” he said.