KLUANG: The position of Islam in the country is not threatened as claimed by certain parties, says Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

The Deputy Prime Minister said the unity government's efforts to uphold Islam were evident in its new initiative to offer a syllabus for students to memorise the Quran at all Maktab Rendah Sains Mara (MRSM) nationwide.

"This will be done soon to enable Muslim students at the 57 MRSM to memorise all 30 juzuk starting from Form One, without affecting their existing lessons.

"This was decided given the excellent results from an exam conducted among existing MRSM students," he told reporters during his visit to Kem Mahkota here on Thursday (Sept 19).

He added that he is also in talks with Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin to extend the syllabus at a new MRSM specifically for children of army personnel and officers.

"We are considering the suitable location for that as there are four MRSM that are in the process of being built.

"If we were to choose an entirely new MRSM institute, it might take a longer time but we will discuss it," he added.

Earlier, Ahmad Zahid in his speech said the government, under Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had allocated RM1.9bil for mosques and Islamic education in this year's budget.

"This was an increase from the RM1.4bil allocated in the 2023 budget.

"Who says Islam is threatened in the country? We do not ride on religious issues for political gain.

"What we are doing is with the intention of upholding Islam without sidelining other races and religions," he added.

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2024/09/19/govt-efforts-show-islam-in-malaysia-not-threatened-says-zahid