Umno: RM1.9b dispels 'DAP threat to Islam, Malays' slander

Umno: RM1.9b dispels 'DAP threat to Islam, Malays' slander


Among the often repeated accusations against Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's administration is that the presence of DAP posed a threat to Islam and the Malays.

The opposition, including former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad, claims that the Pakatan Harapan chairperson is subservient to DAP because it has the most number of federal seats compared to others in the coalition government.

However, Umno secretary-general Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki pointed out that the RM1.9 billion allocated for Islamic affairs under Budget 2024 proved that the allegation is nothing more than slander.

He also noted how Anwar had been receptive towards Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's initiative through the National Tahfiz Education Policy Action Plan (DPTN).

"… With an allocation of RM187 million including RM150 million for the maintenance and upgrading of dilapidated school buildings, RM17 million for Tahfiz TVET (technical and vocational education and training programmes) and RM20 million for Tahfiz Kemas…," he said.

Furthermore, Asyraf (above) said the Malay and Bumiputera agenda was strengthened with the increase in allocation for the Rural and Regional Development Ministry (which is under Zahid) to RM11.554 billion and RM3.99 billion for Mara.

"... Which have been entrusted with enhancing programmes to fund businesses, entrepreneurship, education and to strengthen the TVET programme for Malay-bumiputera children and sponsoring further studies abroad with 5,178 (students) in various countries," he added in a social media post.

In March, Zahid said his ministry had adopted three tahfiz centres to also offer TVET courses and the number would be increased to 10 by the end of the year.

"It aims to train huffaz (someone who memorises the Quran) to possess skills such as electrical work, fixing motorcycles or air conditioners with formal certification," he added.