PETALING JAYA: Strict legal action should be taken immediately against anyone involved in violent acts against students in tahfiz institutions, says Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (pic).
The Deputy Prime Minister said he felt a deep sense of regret over cases that went viral, including a case in Sabah in which a video of a tahfiz student being physically assaulted circulated online.
“The government stresses that any form of violence, abuse or actions that outrage the modesty of children can never be accepted.
“This is especially if it happens in an institution that is meant to build values, love and character among young people,” he said in a statement yesterday.
Ahmad Zahid was commenting on a recent incident in Telipok, Sabah where a teacher at a private tahfiz centre had allegedly assaulted students with a helmet outside a cyber cafe.
It was reported that the teacher was suspended by the centre’s management board.
Ahmad Zahid hoped that strict and immediate legal action would be taken against anyone found guilty under the law to ensure that such incidents do not recur.
“This isolated incident does not represent the overall national tahfiz education ecosystem.
“To strengthen protection for students and the overall administration of tahfiz institutions, the government is working towards the implementation of the National Tahfiz Education Policy 2.0, which is scheduled to be launched next year,” he said.
The policy will focus on the enforcement of rules and regulations, improving the curriculum and National Tahfiz Education model, as well as strengthening human capital, among others.
