Meet and greet: Ahmad Zahid attending the opening ceremony of the 2023 Madani Mualaf Convention at the ILIM. — Bernama
KAJANG: A possible increase of allowances for preachers under the state Islamic bodies and the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) may be on the cards for Budget 2024, says the Deputy Prime Minister.
Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi alluded to this while launching the Madani Mualaf Convention at the Institut Latihan Islam Malaysia (ILIM) in Bangi yesterday. He told reporters that the allowances for these preachers are not enough due to the challenges faced in their duties.
“We will wait for the announcement by the Prime Minister this Friday when his speech for the Budget is read. I am not sure if this is actually part of the Budget, but it is what we asked for.
“In the past, these preachers or ‘mubalighs’ were listed as spreading the dakwah voluntarily and had been categorised as ‘volunteers’ in spreading the dakwah.
“However, the state Islamic bodies and Jakim have taken several initiatives to place them as contracted preachers. The allowances given to them, in relative terms, are still low,” he added.
When asked if such allowances would be in line with the set minimum wage, Ahmad Zahid said that by right it should be.
“By right, that is the way. Allowances and pay for contract workers must at least be on par with the minimum wage,” he said.
Ahmad Zahid represented Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for the event yesterday, stating that the Prime Minister was unable to attend due to “important matters”, alluding to the upcoming Budget 2024 speech this Friday.
Reading the Prime Minister’s prepared speech, he said Islam is a religion that is equal for all walks of life.
“The beauty of Islam can only be truly felt when one absolutely understands, practises and takes to heart each teaching without any interference that can confuse with negative elements, such as hate and disunity which can undermine the religion,” he said.
