Socio-Cultural Advisor to the Government Tan Sri Rais Yatim will discuss with the Education Ministry on making ''budi'' or cultural guidance a compulsory subject at schools and higher learning institutions.

Rais who is also International Islamic University Malaysia president said such a subject was vital in shaping the foundation of the culture and way of life of the people in the country in a bid to to create a high-cultured society.

"In line with the recent Cultural Congress 2017, I will meet Education Minister Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid on Thursday to discuss the syllabus at primary, secondary schools and higher learning institutions.

"We want the syllabus to shape the identity (of Malaysians) including character, being respectful to others and the practice of ''gotong-royong''," he told reporters after attending the breaking-of-fast at the university near here last night.

Earlier, Rais also handed financial assistance to 19 IIUM staff comprising ''asnaf'' (eligible group), single mothers and cancer patients before performing the Maghrib and Isyak prayers at Masjid Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah at the university campus. - BERNAMA