RM24m allocation for tahfiz schools used wrongly (Updated)

PUTRAJAYA: Some RM24 million, or 80%, of a RM30 million allocation for tahfiz schools was used to pay staff salaries and not infrastructure upgrades as intended, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
“I will make sure that the money (new allocation) will be used to develop the schools,” Ahmad Zahid said when launching the Human Capital Psychology Conference at Putrajaya International Convention Centre today.
On Sept 15, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak announced a RM30 million allocation to develop tahfiz schools nationwide.
Ahmad Zahid, who heads the cabinet committee addressing problems affecting tahfiz schools, said it will be a daunting task for him to develop the schools, as the allocation is deemed insufficient.
“I know it is not enough, but we have to start somewhere. So, I will make sure this allocation will be fully utilised to develop the schools.”
On another matter, Ahmad Zahid urged the public and private sector to team up and conduct a Malaysian Psychological Wellbeing Index to measure the well-being of Malaysians.
“I want scholars to work with the government to develop a ‘Term Of Reference’ as well as a suitable parameter to measure psychological wellbeing.”
The index is to help the government develop counter measures to ensure good living conditions.
A national health and morbidity survey in 2015 showed that about 4.2 million Malaysians suffered from mental health problems, caused by depression, substance abuse and other neurological diseases.
At the event yesterday, Ahmad Zahid also presented “Concerned Employers Awards” to five companies – 7-Eleven (M) Sdn Bhd, Mydin Mohamed Holdings Berhad, NSK Trade City, Lulu Group Retail Sdn Bhd and Excelstat Enterprise.