KOTA BARU: All 30 operators of tahfiz schools under the PERMATA Quran Darulnaim association have been given a month to register with the local religious authority in order to receive benefits and financial assistance provided by the Federal government.
The association's deputy chairman Omar Alias said the directive was given by the Kelantan Islamic Religious Council (MAIK) officer during a special meeting with the association's members.
"The association which was registered two years ago, has 50 members and they are all operators of private tahfiz schools in Kelantan.
"Twenty of them are already registered with MAIK but the rest have yet to do so due to financial problems.
"In order to do so they must comply with the stipulated regulations set by the fire and rescue department.
"During today's two-hour meeting, the MAIK officer has ordered the 30 operators to comply with the department's regulation to enable them to get the permit before they could register with MAIK and the one month period starts today," he said.
He spoke after the meeting held at the centre near Telipot today.
Omar said the Kelantan association's members have welcomed the Government's move to regulate the administration of private religious schools.
"We hoped the Federal Government considers this seriously as it will help many private tahfiz schools that are facing financial problems.
"Not all school operators are getting a lot of profit in this business. Those operating in Kuala Lumpur might be getting a good income but not those in Kelantan like us. Many of us are doing this as a community service," he said.