Update on the Asatizah Recognition Scheme

Question

Mr Muhamad Faisal Abdul Manap: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Development and Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs (a) as at 31 December 2020, what is the number of asatizahs under the Asatizah Recognition Scheme; (b) what is the profile of these asatizahs according to gender, age and educational attainment; and (c) how many azatizahs have been financially assisted through zakat; (d) how many asatisahs have been disciplined; and (e) how many asatizahs have been struck off the roll and why.

Response

Mr Masagos Zulkifli, Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs & Minister for Social and Family Development:

1. There are 4,945 asatizah recognised under the Asatizah Recognition Scheme (ARS).

2. About 60% of the ARS-recognised asatizah have degree or diplomas in Islamic studies, while the remaining 40% are Quranic reading teachers with qualifying certificates.

3. Female asatizah comprise about two-thirds of all ARS recognised asatizah. About half of the asatizah are aged 36 or below, while just over 10% are above 65 years of age.

4. Currently, about 40 of these asatizah are financially assisted through zakat. During the COVID-19 period, an additional 500 asatizah received financial assistance from Pergas' Gracious Package, which was supplemented by Muis.

5. The ARS ensures our asatizah, as certified religious teachers, have proper religious qualifications and meet the ARS Code of Ethics. Since ARS was made mandatory in January 2017, 33 Tier 1 and Tier 2 asatizah have been disciplined. Out of these, 18 asatizah have been removed from the ARS due to ethical misconduct and/or doctrinal issues.