BAGAN DATUK, Dec 21 — The Malaysian government will begin phased implementation of the Standard Pengiktirafan Tahfiz Malaysia (SPTM) next year, a comprehensive accreditation framework designed to elevate the quality and governance of tahfiz institutions, according to Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
SPTM will serve as a structured benchmark for recognising institutions and huffaz that successfully meet required performance indicators. The government will also reward the top 10 institutions with RM50,000 each to encourage excellence and sustainable improvement.
More than 25,000 huffaz and attendees were present at the announcement ceremony, along with key national leaders including Senator Zulkifli Hasan and Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Zambry Abdul Kadir.
Ahmad Zahid shared that Malaysia’s tahfiz ecosystem currently comprises over 1,400 institutions supported by more than 10,000 educators and over 61,000 students. The government aims to strengthen this ecosystem through DPTN 2.0, which includes enhancing curriculum structure, certification systems and funding mechanisms.
He also shared notable academic successes of tahfiz students pursuing professional fields, proving that tahfiz education now contributes to national talent development beyond traditional religious roles.
The event also marked the signing of strategic partnerships between JAKIM and several institutions, signalling strong national commitment to building a future-proof tahfiz education system.