The Malaysian Madrasah Tahfiz Al-Quran Association has urged the public to stop provoking the tahfiz institution following the death of Mohamad Thaqif Amin Mohd Gaddafi, on Wednesday.

Its president, Manolito Mohd Dahlan said it was unfair to condemn all madrasah tahfiz.

"We are saddened by the tragic incident that befell Mohamad Thaqif Amin. It is the first time such as an incident has occurred since the establishment of the tahfiz institution in this country in 1966.

"Let the authorities do the necessary investigation. The case should not be manipulated to force the government to close all madrasah tahfiz with the excuse the institution is the cause for backwardness, evil and promotes violence," he told a press conference, here.

There are 941 madrasah tahfiz, with more than 10,411 staff and 100,000 students nationwide.

Manolito urged the public to misconstrue that tahfiz education system emphasises more on corporal punishment.

-- BERNAMA