Penang: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has approved an additional RM4.6 million this year to upgrade basic infrastructure at 27 Islamic educational institutions across Penang. This allocation marks a significant increase from the RM2.11 million provided last year for similar upgrading projects at 11 Islamic educational institutions within the state.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Anwar, who also serves as Finance Minister, indicated that the funds would be allocated for various upgrading works at these institutions. "Last year in Penang, we added more than RM2 million. This year, I announced RM4.6 million for people's religious institutions. It is for upgrading works, including walls and fences, madrasahs, schools, new kindergarten buildings, and tahfiz academies," he stated at the National Tadabbur Perdana and Maidah Wanita MADANI Permatang Pauh programmes at Masjid Muhajirin.

Anwar emphasized the government's ongoing commitment to addressing the needs of religious schools and Islamic educational institutions, aiming to enhance religious education facilities across the nation. He highlighted the importance of aligning efforts to strengthen Islamic education with technological advancements, such as integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into Quranic and Islamic studies. However, he stressed the necessity for technology to be guided by strong moral values.

"AI must have values. AI must be rooted in morality. It should not be used simply to develop talent and understanding without values and morality," Anwar asserted. He also encouraged the public to leverage the freedom available in the country to organize more religious programs, such as Quran classes, tadabbur sessions, and religious talks, to deepen their understanding of Islam.