Latest news with #PenangIslamicReligiousCouncil
The Sun
16-07-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
Penang eases rules for religious speakers following guidelines
BUTTERWORTH: Penang does not impose restrictions on religious speakers as long as they adhere to state guidelines and laws, according to Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Dr Mohamad Abdul Hamid. He clarified that the state is among the most lenient in granting religious credentials, with exemptions for experienced speakers from rigorous tests. Mohamad stated that those who follow the Penang Islamic Religious Administration Enactment 2004 face no issues, addressing recent reports of a preacher being barred from Masjid Semilang. He made these remarks during the 2025 MAINPP Zakat Fitrah Amil Awards (MAFIT) ceremony in Seberang Jaya. The Penang Islamic Religious Council (MAINPP) revised its credentialing policy last year to streamline approvals for qualified individuals. 'For occasional speakers, mosque or surau committees must seek special permission from the Penang Islamic Religious Affairs Department (JHEAIPP),' he added. - Bernama
Malay Mail
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Penang says no ban on religious talks as long as speakers follow state rules
BUTTERWORTH, July 16 — Penang does not restrict religious speakers from delivering lectures as long as they comply with state religious guidelines and laws, said Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Dr Mohamad Abdul Hamid. He said Penang is among the easiest states to obtain religious credentials (tauliah), granting exemptions from rigorous tests or interviews for experienced speakers. 'Speakers who follow the Penang Islamic Religious Administration Enactment 2004 face no issues, including in the recent case of a preacher reportedly barred from Masjid Semilang,' he said at the 2025 MAINPP Zakat Fitrah Amil Awards (MAFIT) ceremony in Seberang Jaya today. Mohamad added that the Penang Islamic Religious Council (MAINPP) also amended its credentialing policy last year to simplify approval for qualified individuals. 'For occasional speakers, mosque or surau committees must seek special permission from the Penang Islamic Religious Affairs Department (JHEAIPP),' he said. — Bernama
The Star
15-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
RM400 increase in allowance for Penang Islamic kindergarten teachers
GEORGE TOWN: The allowance for Penang Islamic kindergarten (Tadis) teachers has been increased by RM400 per month to RM1,400, while kindergarten assistants will now get RM1,200 monthly, a raise of RM200. Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Dr Mohamad Abdul Hamid, who is also Penang Islamic Religious Council president, said the increase would benefit 40 teachers and 21 assistants. There are currently 874 students enrolled in Tadis statewide. "This increase is also one of the results of the rebranding of Tadis to Tadika Islam Mutiara Madani (TIMM), " he said, adding that the council aimed to set up 30 TIMMs this year. He expressed the council's commitment to empowering Islamic kindergartens in Penang by approving the rebranding. He said in a Facebook statement on Sunday (June 15) that the kindergartens were established in 1998, and the state has allocated RM10.74mil for their operations over a five-year period until 2029. He said Tadis teachers could also apply to continue their diploma studies for free at the Penang International Islamic Technology College (Kitab). The council offers five places per semester for teachers to pursue diploma studies in Islam for free at Kitab, he added. – Bernama
Barnama
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Barnama
Penang Increases Monthly Allowance For KAFA Teachers From July
GEORGE TOWN, May 17 (Bernama) -- Quran and Fardhu Ain (KAFA) class teachers in Penang will receive a monthly allowance increase of RM200 from July, bringing their total monthly allowance to RM1,500. Deputy Chief Minister I, Datuk Dr Mohamad Abdul Hamid, said KAFA headteachers will receive a higher allowance of RM1,600 compared to RM1,350 previously, marking a RM250 increment. 'During last year's state legislative assembly sitting, I announced that a comprehensive review was being carried out to strengthen KAFA education in Penang. This demonstrates the concern shown by the Penang Islamic Religious Council (MAINPP) and the state government for the welfare of KAFA educators. 'To appreciate KAFA teachers in Penang, I am pleased to share two announcements: the increase in allowance, and a special maternity assistance for female KAFA teachers appointed on or after January 1 this year, who are eligible for RM1,100 per month for two months during their maternity leave,' he said in a Facebook post. In addition, RM150,000 has been allocated to enhance training programmes for KAFA teachers in the state. Mohamad, who is also MAINPP president, said these new measures will result in an additional financial commitment of RM4.2 million annually, raising the total KAFA allocation to RM8.5 million per year. He also announced that all KAFA premises in Penang will return to a standardised five-day operational schedule starting July 1, a practice that had been halted for several years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In the education sector, he said MAINPP is increasing its education budget to RM35 million for 2024 and 2025, including introducing new scholarship allocations for Polytechnic and Form Six students. 'Last month, MAINPP also allocated RM6.5 million to distribute 8,740 tablet devices to 263 primary and secondary schools. This supports the goal of digitalising education and aims to bridge the digital divide among students by 2030,' he added.
New Straits Times
17-05-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Penang increases monthly allowance for Kafa teachers starting July
GEORGE TOWN: Quran and Fardhu Ain (Kafa) class teachers in Penang will receive a monthly allowance increase of RM200 from July, bringing their total monthly allowance to RM1,500. Deputy Chief Minister I, Datuk Dr Mohamad Abdul Hamid, said Kafa headteachers will receive a higher allowance of RM1,600 compared to RM1,350 previously, marking a RM250 increment. "During last year's state legislative assembly sitting, I announced that a comprehensive review was being carried out to strengthen Kafa education in Penang. "This demonstrates the concern shown by the Penang Islamic Religious Council (MAINPP) and the state government for the welfare of Kafa educators. "To appreciate Kafa teachers in Penang, I am pleased to share two announcements: the increase in allowance, and a special maternity assistance for female Kafa teachers appointed on or after January 1 this year, who are eligible for RM1,100 per month for two months during their maternity leave," he said in a Facebook post. In addition, RM150,000 has been allocated to enhance training programmes for Kafa teachers in the state. Mohamad, who is also MAINPP president, said these new measures will result in an additional financial commitment of RM4.2 million annually, raising the total Kafa allocation to RM8.5 million per year. He also announced that all Kafa premises in Penang will return to a standardised five-day operational schedule starting July 1, a practice that had been halted for several years due to the Covid-19 pandemic. In the education sector, he said MAINPP is increasing its education budget to RM35 million for 2024 and 2025, including introducing new scholarship allocations for Polytechnic and Form Six students. "Last month, MAINPP also allocated RM6.5 million to distribute 8,740 tablet devices to 263 primary and secondary schools. "This supports the goal of digitalising education and aims to bridge the digital divide among students by 2030," he added.
