PUTRAJAYA, Nov 5 — The Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) confirmed that Sekolah Rendah Islam al-Afsari in Saujana Putra, Puchong, is unregistered and operating without authorisation, leaving 80 pupils unable to sit for the 2025 Ujian Penilaian al-Quran dan Fardhu Ain (UPKK).
Its director-general Datuk Dr Sirajuddin Suhaimee said the matter was confirmed following cross-checks and discussions with the Islamic Education Division of the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (Jais), which serves as the implementing agency for Quran and Fardu Ain (Kafa) classes in Selangor.
He said the pupils concerned were not registered as candidates for the 2025 UPKK through the official registration system, the Islamic Education Information System (SIMPENI), despite the school having submitted an appeal letter on Oct 15.
“The school does not meet the registration criteria for private Islamic religious schools in Selangor as stipulated under the Control of Islamic Religious Schools Enactment 1988,” he said in a statement today.
Sirajuddin said Jakim held a meeting with the school on Monday to clarify the matter.
He said the school was informed that the UPKK examination is conducted in accordance with the standard operating procedures for national-level examinations set by the Chief Government Security Officer of Malaysia and is subject to the Official Secrets Act 1942, to safeguard the confidentiality and integrity of the examination.
He added that Jakim also explained that the affected pupils could not sit for the 2025 UPKK as all candidates had already been registered and assigned index numbers through SIMPENI before the implementation of the oral tests, including the Amali Solat and Penghayatan Cara Hidup Islam (PCHI) assessments, as well as the Quran oral test (UPKK01).
“The written UPKK examination is scheduled to take place from Nov 17 to 20, 2025, and all examination papers have been distributed nationwide according to the number of registered candidates and examination centres,” he said.
Sirajuddin said the school was also informed that registration approval can only be granted with the endorsement of the relevant agencies, as outlined in the General Management Guidelines (Registration and Establishment) and the Control of Islamic Religious Schools Enactment 1988 (Amendment 2001).
He said Jakim and Jais had advised that the affected pupils be transferred to registered schools under the state religious authority and be registered as ‘calon menumpang’ (external candidates) to enable them to sit for the UPKK examination.
Sirajuddin said the school was also urged to review all registration requirements and procedures to prevent a recurrence, adding that Jakim is prepared to provide guidance and advisory support.
He also called on parents to be more vigilant and proactive in ensuring that the schools where their children are enrolled are officially registered with the relevant state religious authorities.
“Official registration not only ensures the smooth management of examinations but also guarantees the quality of education, the welfare of pupils, and the legitimate recognition of certificates and examination results,” he said. — Bernama
