IPOH – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim concluded his programme in Perak today with participation in a “Kenduri Rakyat Bersama Warga Sekolah Pondok”, where he engaged with students, teachers and members of the local community at Sekolah Menengah Tahfiz Darul Ridzuan.
He expressed his admiration for the school’s facilities and infrastructure, remarking that they were not merely comfortable, but effectively utilised in nurturing both academic learning and character development.
In his speech, Anwar drew attention to the historic role of pondok schools in Malaysia, likening them to pesantren in Indonesia and zawiyah or ma’had in other parts of the Muslim world.
He asserted that institutions such as these have long served as crucibles for knowledge, moral integrity, and independent thought.
“It is within such frameworks that the spirit of resisting colonialism, defending dignity and strengthening identity has been fostered,” he said.
The Prime Minister further contended that national strength rests not solely on wealth or power, but on the “knowledge, faith and values of struggle” that institutions like pondok carry forward.
He urged Malaysians to preserve this heritage of scholarship and spiritual resilience so that the nation’s roots in culture, faith and identity remain robust in the face of modern challenges.
During the same visit, Anwar announced that the government has approved RM34.81 million in allocations for repair works in 137 pondok and tahfiz schools, including eight in Perak. The funding is intended for rehabilitation of roofs, walls, toilets and related facilities.
He also encouraged these religious institutions to harness digital technologies and artificial intelligence to stay relevant without undermining traditional teachings, warning that failure to adapt could expose them to a new form of “technological colonialism”.
The “Kenduri Rakyat” event offered Anwar the chance to deepen ties with the pondok community and reiterate the government’s support for institutions that contribute to the spiritual and intellectual foundations of Malaysian society.