KOTA BHARU: Islamic educational institutions in Kelantan including pondok, tahfiz schools and madrasahs may face closure if found involved in money laundering or misappropriation of donated funds.
State Islamic Development, Dakwah, Information and Public Relations Committee chairman Mohd Asri Mat Daud said guilty institutions will be blacklisted and have their membership with the Pondok Development Centre Berhad revoked.
“So far, the Kelantan State Islamic Religious Affairs Department has not received any complaints regarding the activity, and I have not received any updates on the matter,“ he told reporters after the state executive council meeting.
He said complaints received so far involve only deviant teachings, calling on police to investigate and take strict action should any wrongdoing occur.
JHEAIK typically takes immediate action and visits affected pondok or madrasah upon receiving complaints to obtain complete information and evidence for follow-up measures.
Mohd Asri noted there are currently 64 pondok schools in the state, with 50 registered under the Kelantan Islamic Religious and Malay Customs Council.
He urged all Islamic educational institutions including private sector establishments to register their learning centres with MAIK to ensure proper monitoring.
Kelantan Mufti Datuk Mohamad Shukri Mohamad earlier warned against activities tarnishing Islam’s image, including using religious schools for money laundering or deviant teachings.
He said complacency could lead to moral corruption, ultimately undermining religious institutions’ credibility.
Kelantan police chief Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mamat confirmed receiving information that several unregistered madrasah were being used for money laundering activities.
Based on obtained information, about half of the state’s madrasah are not registered with MAIK. – Bernama
