Sarawak International Islamic High School will take 60 students from January 2027

SIBU, 18 Oct: Sarawak International Islamic High School is expected to start the first intake of 60 students in January 2027 although the school building is expected to be fully completed by March of the same year.

Director of the Sarawak Islamic Religious Department embraced Sarawak Muslim Council Secretary, Datu Mual Suaud said that selected students will be temporarily placed at Datuk Haji Mohamad Mortadza Haji David's Religious Lower School.

"The first takeover will involve students from Ma'had Tahfiz Tun Abdul Rahman Ya'kub (MATTARY) in Kuching. Opportunities for admission to the school are also open to local children from across Sarawak including areas without religious primary schools.

"Religious studies in schools under the Malaysian Ministry of Education (KPM) as well as implementation of Quran and Fardu Ain Classes (KAFA) related to tahfiz will be among the preparatory routes to help students qualify for admission", he said.

He said this during his inaugural address to the Central Zone II Mahabharata Pilgrimage Program organized by the Sarawak Islamic Council here today.

However, he said that the selection of students will be made competitively based on achievements, including mastery of Quranic hadith, with the ability to distinguish seven juqahs among the criteria given attention.

"The school with a capacity of about 500 students will integrate the National Curriculum, Tahfiz and Hafazan Curricula, IGCSE Cambridge as well as the syllabus with Madrasah Aljunied Al-Islamiah, Singapore, in addition to opening up opportunities for international students through exchange programs", he said.

Regarding the Mahabharata Pilgrimage Program, he said it became a platform to approach the community by bringing departmental and agency services under MIS directly into the field.

"The two-day programme on 17 and 18 October at the Sarawak Islamic Complex, Sibu facilitates access to information and management of related matters without having to visit the office on working days.

"The programme will be extended to the whole of Sarawak with Lawas becoming the next destination next month, followed by Sarikei, Betong and other areas", he said.

Among the program's complementary features are Edu Fair, which is attended by 30 government agencies and statutory bodies, Women's Special Program, Human Training Academy Skills Course, STEM activities, sporting events as well as aid handover. The programme also featured a Townhall Education Session with panels from the Bureau of Educational Services, Sarawak Baitulmal Fund and Sarawak Wakaf Foundation.

The program also welcomed participation of Sibu Division residents as well as representatives from Betong and Sarikei Divisions, thus opening up space for the community to get acquainted with and information about services provided by MIS.-TVS