The government targets to produce 125,000 "huffaz" or Quran memorisers across the country by 2050 through the National Transformation 2050 (TN50) policy, says Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

He said the target was important for Malaysia so as to build a generation capable of developing a peaceful, harmonious, prosperous country and blessed by the Almighty.

In this regard, he said the huffaz being produced needed to be moulded to become leaders and professional workers such as doctors and engineers, and not just to be imam or religious teachers.

"With 125,000 huffaz as professional workers, insyaAllah (God willing) one day even Cabinet ministers and the PM (prime minister) as well could be Quran memorisers to that they would provide better leadership."

Ahmad Zahid said this when opening the "Inculcation of Noble Values During Ramadan" programme in Ayer Keroh, Malacca with Defence Minister Hishammudin Hussein and Melaka Chief Minister Idris Haron also present.

New policy

Ahmad Zahid said to realise the aspiration, the government would strive to ensure that the National Tahfiz Education Policy (DPTN) could be implemented to streamline the education system in this country.

However, he stressed that the implementation of the DPTN nationwide required the consent of all the Sultans, Rulers and Yang Dipertua Negeri as the Islamic religion came under their jurisdiction.

Hence, Ahmad Zahid who is also Home Minister, suggested that all operators of tahfiz centres register with the Malaysia Islamic Development Department (Jakim) in order to create a more conducive teaching and learning environment.

"I hope that any tahfiz centre which has not registered (with Jakim) to do so... this is not because we want to penalise but to assist them.

"(This proves) the federal government's concern towards religious educational institutions and it is committed to helping them so that the position of Islam can be enhanced," he said.

Putrajaya backs Malacca's plans

Ahmad Zahid said uniformity in various aspects of students' welfare including safety level, their health, diet and (disciplinary) punishment at the tahfiz centres was necessary so that there would be complete monitoring.

"InsyaAllah, I will ensure that the National Tahfiz Education Policy will be implemented so that there is coordination as I don't want to see tahfiz centres not receiving aid after a fire outbreak and bully cases in such centres," he said.

The deputy prime minister also said that the federal government fully supported the Melaka government's plan to implement the DPTN through a motion that was passed at the state assembly sitting today.

"We will realise this together and I am confident that other states will do the same," he said.

At the state assembly sitting yesterday, Idris had tabled a motion to implement the DPTN in the state and it was passed today with 23 assemblymen supporting, four abstaining while another, opposition whip Khoo Poay Tiong (DAP-Ayer Keroh) was suspended from attending today's proceeding.

- Bernama