Govt holding discussions to absorb Imams, Bilals into civil service

NSTP
KUALA LUMPUR, TUES:

The government is still discussing with State Islamic Religious Departments to include the posts of imam and bilal (mosque officials) in the civil service.

Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Senator Datuk Dr Mashitah Ibrahim said the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) was spearheading the discussions but no decision had been finalised.

“Generally, imams and bilals are appointed by the state governments and their terms of service are subject to the states concerned,” she said when answering a question from Senator Wan Ramlah Wan Ahmad at the Dewan Negara today.

Wan Ramlah wanted to know when the federal government would place imams and bilals under the civil service to allow them a monthly salary like other civil servants.

Pegawai masjid di Kedah terima kenaikan elaun

Berita Harian

ALOR STAR: Seramai 3,264 pegawai masjid di seluruh Kedah menerima kenaikan elaun bulanan membabitkan peruntukkan tahunan RM11.11 juta mulai Jun depan.

Elaun imam dinaikkan dari RM450 kepada RM500, bilal RM200 kepada RM450, siak RM200 kepada RM250 dan Setiausaha Jawatankuasa Kariah dan Bendahari masing-masing menerima RM100 sebulan.

Menteri Besar, Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid, berkata kenaikan elaun bersesuaian keperluan semasa selain menghargai sumbangan mereka sebagai pemangkin pembangunan rohaniah masyarakat.

Beliau berkata, kerajaan negeri yakin pegawai masjid yang terdiri daripada imam, bilal serta ahli jawatankuasa masjid dapat memupuk perpaduan serta kesedaran positif di kalangan anak kariah di kawasan masing-masing.

"Melalui kefahaman ini, akan bertambah mudah kerajaan negeri melaksanakan program dan perancangan di seluruh negeri selain sama-sama memastikan kejayaan setiap program," katanya pada majlis penutup Seminar Pegawai Pengurusan Masjid peringkat negeri di Dewan Insaniah di sini, semalam.

Sebelum ini kerajaan negeri memperuntukkan RM5 juta setahun membabitkan hanya pembayaran elaun bulanan imam, bilal serta siak masjid di seluruh Kedah.