KUALA LANGAT, July 13 — Religious school students in Selangor will soon have a safer and confidential channel to report bullying and mental health issues, through a chatbot being developed by the Selangor government, said state executive councillor for Islam and innovation Dr Fahmi Ngah.
He said the chatbot won’t just be an official Islamic reference centre in Selangor, but could help students channel complaints directly to the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (JAIS).
“I think it could also be used as a safe means for our children at religious schools to make reports if there are issues like bullying or mental health problems.
“Maybe later JAIS could receive direct complaints without problem, with the complainant’s privacy well ensured. Maybe the digital channel could be used for this purpose,” he said after the Selangor Islamic Agencies Carnival (KAISel) closing ceremony in Kanchong Darat here yesterday.
Fahmi said the chatbot is expected to be launched next year, and it would be interactive in a way that people can obtain official information on Islamic religious management in Selangor at any time.
“Discussions have been conducted; we are deciding now. The budget is also ready, God willing, we will develop it this year.
“If someone wants to ask an ustaz something, it’s easy. Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, there will be a digital ustaz that will refer to references that are correct and verified by the Selangor Mufti Department,” he said.
He added that the chatbot hasn’t been given a name, but the state government will let the people submit recommendations before its launch.
Besides being a religious reference, the chatbot would compile information on JAIS’ services including children’s enrolment into religious schools.
“For example, if a family has just moved to a new kariah (Islamic parish) and wants to know about religious schools with empty slots or how to submit applications, all that information could be (contained in the app) because it is under JAIS,” Fahmi said.
