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THE government has moved to dispel rumours suggesting it plans to shut down unregistered ‘pondok’ schools in Kedah and Kelantan, with official investigations underway to identify those responsible for spreading the misinformation.
Communications Minister and Government spokesperson Datuk Fahmi Fadzil confirmed that a report had been lodged with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) over the circulation of the false claims.
“Yesterday, it was reported on social media that the government allegedly intends to close unregistered pondok schools in Kedah and Kelantan.
“The Minister of Religious Affairs has denied this. The complaint has been forwarded to MCMC to identify those involved in producing and spreading this false news,” he said.
A pondok school in Malaysia is a traditional Islamic religious school, mainly in northern states like Kedah, Kelantan, and Terengganu. The term “pondok” means “hut,” reflecting its rural origins. These schools focus on Quranic studies, Arabic, Islamic jurisprudence, and classical texts, sometimes alongside general subjects.
Fahmi emphasised that the dissemination of fake news constitutes an offence under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.
“I urge caution with the content shared, especially on social media, and to verify information through mainstream media sources,” he added.
The Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs), Datuk Dr Mohd Na’im Mokhtar, reiterated that the government had issued no directives to close any pondok schools.
“There has been no order to close any pondok schools and the claims are untrue, malicious, and defamatory,” he said. - October 24, 2025