KUALA LUMPUR: All students, including the victims who were allegedly sodomised by the principal of a tahfiz centre in Kepong, are still studying at the school, says Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Dr Mujahid Yusof Rawa.

He said the parents had yet to take their children out of the tahfiz centre.

“When I discussed this with the deputy principal, the parents of the students seem not to care.

“It shows that the parents who send their children here have little awareness. They think if they send their children to tahfiz centres, all their problems will be solved,” he told reporters after visiting the tahfiz centre here on Monday (Sept 24).

It was reported that the principal of the tahfiz centre has already been charged in court.

The alleged victims are nine students aged between 11 and 16.

Kuala Lumpur deputy police chief Deputy Comm Datuk Zainuddin Yaacob said the suspect, in his 30s, was charged in Putrajaya Sessions Court last Wednesday (Sept 19), with 11 offences under Section 14 of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017.

Meanwhile, Mujahid said he was shocked at the condition of the tahfiz centre building, and confirmed that it was operating without any licence from the relevant authorities.

“I was so shocked when I saw it with my own eyes. The building itself is not in good condition.

“The management informed us that they have applied for a licence from the Federal Territory Islamic Religious Department (Jawi), but the authorities will not simply approve it without due process, including getting the green light from the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL).

“The application has not been approved yet,” he added.