SHAH ALAM: Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah has decreed that private tahfiz schools in the state not registered with the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (Jais) should be shut down.
“Tahfiz education in Selangor has attracted the interest of many parents and students. In Selangor alone, there are 15,000 tahfiz students in 263 private tahfiz schools that are registered with Jais.
“I decree that private tahfiz schools that are not registered with Jais and do not have a curriculum and modern academic education system be closed,” he said in his royal address when opening the first meeting of the second term of the 14th state legislative assembly sitting.
Also present to grace the opening were Tengku Permaisuri Selangor Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin and Raja Muda of Selangor Tengku Amir Shah.
Sultan Sharafuddin also said he wants heavy penalties to be enforced against environmental polluters in the state.
He decreed this after being told that there are several rivers in Selangor that were contaminated.
“I have been informed that there are four or five rivers in Selangor that are polluted with solid waste and toxic waste. Therefore, I urge the Selangor government to carry out more serious enforcement against those who discharge waste into rivers.
“If need be, laws must be made to enforce heavy penalties against offenders who pollute rivers in Selangor. Apart from that, the education of society must be heightened (and this should be by) holding awareness campaigns to care for the cleanliness of rivers which are resources for water (for public consumption) in Selangor,” he said.
Sultan Sharafuddin also advised his subjects to use water frugally as it is “a gift from God” that must be protected and managed prudently.
He noted that the usage of domestic water in Selangor has recorded a higher average rate compared to the national rate.
“If this usage can be lowered, I am confident that it can contribute to the conservation of clean water and guarantee a continuous water supply.
“Therefore, apart from focusing on the improvement of water services supply management, I want the state government, together with agencies such as Lembaga Urus Air Selangor (Luas) and Pengurusan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (Air Selangor) to concentrate on educating the people so that they are aware of their responsibility to appreciate water and not to use it as they please and waste it,” he said.
The Sultan also decreed that water catchment areas and forest reserves in the state be maintained and preserved well to ensure that water resources are sufficient and unaffected in the future.
Efforts to preserve forest reserves and the beauty of natural flora and fauna in forests must be carried out, he said.
“The state must ensure that there are no logging activities taking place in the forest reserves and water catchment areas.”
Sultan Sharafuddin also called for Selangor’s asset, in the form of its peace and harmony, to be defended and preserved to ensure stability and peace.
He said Selangor has been gifted with a melting pot of races, religions and traditions.
“I am in agreement and view seriously that all subjects in Selangor must maintain the harmony and prosperity that we have, and strengthen the unity that has been long forged between multiple races and religions.
“My subjects must always respect each other and not exaggerate sensitive matters that touch on religion and race that could disrupt harmony. Use technology… for positive matters that could contribute to the unity of society – not to spread slander and fake news and insult someone that would cause splits in the community,” he said.
Sultan Sharafuddin also urged state assemblymen to debate positively, raise beneficial topics, bring forward current issues and discuss challenges ahead and sprout positive mindsets.