PM orders immediate aid to religious school gutted by fire

THE government will expedite assistance and recovery efforts following a fire that severely damaged a religious secondary school in Bachok, Kelantan, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has said.

In a statement, Anwar said swift coordination with multiple agencies had been ordered to ensure the affected school, SMU (A) Darul Ulum Al-Muhammadiah, can resume operations as soon as possible.

“This incident is a major test for the community of SMU(A) Darul Ulum Muhammadiah. I have instructed the Ministry of Education, the Implementation Coordination Unit (ICU), the Prime Minister’s Department (JPM) and all relevant agencies to expedite immediate and decisive action.

“Our priority at this time is to ensure the safety of students and the continuity of learning that has been affected by the incident,” he said in a Facebook post on Tuesday.

The fire, which occurred on Sunday, destroyed the school’s academic block, supervisory rooms and a boys’ hostel located in Kampung Kolam, Pak Badol.

The Kelantan State Education Department confirmed that no injuries were reported, with all students, teachers and staff safely evacuated shortly after the incident.

Anwar also stressed that the welfare of students remains a central priority for the government.

“As I have emphasised before, issues of safety, comfort and student welfare are prioritised,” he said. - April 14, 2026