PUTRAJAYA: The Madani government has increased the allocation for religious affairs to RM3.1 billion under the 2027 Budget to strengthen Islamic development, including the empowerment of religious educational institutions and safeguarding the welfare of religious personnel nationwide.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Dr Zulkifli Hasan said 85.4 per cent of the allocation was for operating expenditure, while the remaining 14.6 per cent was set aside for development expenditure.

He said the increase reflected the government's commitment to implementing a more comprehensive agenda to elevate the stature of Islam and benefit society.

"The Madani government continues to place special emphasis on this agenda by allocating RM200 million for sekolah agama rakyat (community religious schools), tahfiz institutions and sekolah pondok (traditional Islamic boarding schools) registered with the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim).