Don't Be Bound By Political Sentiments When Giving Advise, 'Pondok' Institution Told

ALOR SETAR, April 24 (Bernama) -- Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak wants the 'pondok' institution (traditional religious schools) to be active as the voice of religious inspired advise without being bound by any partisan political sentiments.

The prime minister said Muslims as the bearers of the administrative leadership's trust always hoped for the opinions, advise and prayers of the ulama in carrying out their duties.

"This kind of situation is difficult to form if the advise that is presented is used for partisan political competition. The ulama must advice and reproach anyone but through a method and culture that is suitable with their authority and high position in Islam," he said when officiating at the closing of the 'Ijtimak Pondok Malaysia 2014' programme here Thursday.

He said it was hoped that pondok students would continue to play a role as the fort to defend the sovereignty and purity of Islam as 'ad-din' based on the National Constitution.

The government rejected any threats against the faith of Muslims and any attempts to break apart the people's unity, he said.

"We must also reject any movement or teachings that are in conflict with the Federal Constitution. In this context, we deeply appreciated the opinions and stance of the ulama and pondok students as well as non-governmental organisations in defending the sanctity of Islam," he said.

Najib said the reality was that there were certain groups with a liberal attitude, who openly and freely voiced out their stance without taking into account the feelings or sensitivities of others.

"Even though we know that Islam is the federal religion that is guaranteed in the Constituition, they continue to challenge and want to change what has been enshrined all this while," he said.

He said the government wanted to see the pondok teaching system to continue to be relevant and the ulama and pondok teachers given the due recognition.

At the function, the prime minister announced that the government would open 100 places for pondok students to pursue their education and training in their chosen fields at local institutions of higher learning, which will be fully sponsored by the goverment.

"Half of the total or 50 places, are reserved for pondok teachers who are qualified to go to Institutes of Teachers' Education, Pendidikan Islam campus in Bangi, Selangor and the remaining 50 students to local universities such as Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia in Nilai," he said.

He said application from qualified candidates could be made and processed through thr Yayasan Pembangunan Pondok Malaysia (YPPM), in cooperation with the ministry and universities involved.

Najib also announced a grant of RM500,000 to YPPM to search, obtain and conserve all old scriptures from within and outside the country.

Also present were Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mukhriz Tun Dr Mahathir, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom and YPPM Executive Chairman Datuk Dr Mashitah Ibrahim.

The two-day Ijtimak Pondok Malaysia 2014, which began yesterday, is participated by 1,300 participants, including pondok institution representatives from southern Thailand and Indonesia.