By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, Feb 24: The Sarawak government has allocated RM95 million to set up its first Islamic international school.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the initiative aims to enhance the intellectual development of Muslim youth.
“This is a high-cost initiative that has already been approved by the government—not only Muslim leaders but also non-Muslim leaders have expressed their support.
“With an allocation of RM95 million, we are developing a boarding-based Islamic international school, where Hafiz (Muslims who have memorized the Al-Quran) students will be nurtured to excel in both religious studies and modern sciences,” he said at the opening ceremony of the 64th Sarawak-level Tilawah and Hafazan Competition at the Samarahan Civic Centre, which was broadcast live by the Sarawak Public Communication Unit (UKAS) on Facebook today.
A previous report dated Dec 9, 2020, speculated that the Maahad Tahfiz Tun Abdul Rahman Ya’kub Primary School (Mattary) in Petra Jaya would be transformed into the new Islamic international school.
Meanwhile, on Oct 7, 2022, Abang Johari revealed that the Sarawak government was conducting an extensive study with Singapore’s Madrasah Aljunied Al-Islamiah to develop the Cambridge international syllabus for the school.
On Sept 7, 2024, Deputy Minister for Utility and Telecommunication Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi, who oversees Islamic affairs, reportedly stated that the school is expected to be completed by the end of 2027. — DayakDaily
