Tag: Education

Malaysia Should Build a Sports Institute of Higher Learning

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SHAH ALAM, 8 Nov: The federal government should at least establish one institute of higher learning (IHL) dedicated to sports development in order to improve athlete’s’ level of professionalism in Malaysia.

The Exco in charge of Selangor Youth and Sports, Dr Ahmad Yunus Hairi, said that planned development of sports institutions will provide an opportunity for national athletes to continue their studies at the highest level, thus making sports as an important industry that will benefit the country.

He said that athletes can also improve their skills in events and games pursued more consistently with physical and scientific equipment through the establishment of the sports IHL.

“We will also be able to educate the public that sports is not just a side activity, but involves a good future career with a high level of certification,” he said when contacted by Selangor Kini today.

He was asked to comment on the motion presented by the Member of Parliament for Kota Bharu, Datuk Takiyuddin Hassan, who suggested in the House of Representatives yesterday for the federal government to establish a sports university college to produce athletes that are not only excellent, but are of high intellect.

Ahmad Yunus said that he also proposed for the Bukit Jalil area to be the location of the IHL development to reduce the cost of construction if the central government agrees.

“Perhaps the development of the first sports IHL in the country can be done in Selangor, as the focus state in the development of Malaysia. We also have the Shah Alam Stadium which is recognised as the best stadium in the country.

“Therefore, I hope that the central government will consider this proposal and make it happen, at least before year 2020,” he said.

Selangor and Penang PR Governments Step Forward to Strengthen Democracy

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Youth Solidarity Malaysia (SAMM) congratulated the Selangor and Penang PR Governments for moving another step to strengthen democracy in their administration radar.

On 18 September, the Penang Pakatan Rakyat Government, through the State Government Exco meeting, approved in principle the provisions for Assemblymen from the Opposition in Penang (read: Barisan Nasional) and the subsequent approval from the Exco Meeting will be tabled in the Penang State Budget 2014.

Meanwhile, on 10 October, the Selangor PR Government announced special allowances and privileges for the Selangor State Legislative Assembly Opposition Leader.

For Samm, this are valiant efforts in strengthening and educating the meaning of true democracy in Malaysia, in fact, understanding in the long history of oppression in translating the BN-style democracy system, actions such as this is hard to be accepted by various quarters in PR itself.

But if we are talking about a mature democracy, this is the best time to show that PR is different from the oppression politics of BN. We see all this while how PR representatives, especially Parliamentarians, are denied the right to serve the people without even a single cent of allocation being channelled through PR representatives who were voted by the people.

Now, it is a tremendous blow for BN Assemblymen in Penang. Do they want to receive provisions given to them despite Do they want to receive their allocation to them despite their opposition?

If they accept it, then they acknowledge the practice of the BN Government in other states and even the Federal level BN government as wrong to not channel allocations through representatives of the people who were elected by the people. But if they reject it, they will continue to be remembered for their narrow partisan politics and they can no longer complain in front of their voters that they do not have allocations.

Through the Penang State Government, PR proved that political clash is a different matter, but in matters of democratic state governance, the people’s choice should be respected and Penang PR has acknowledged that.

The Office of the Leader of the Opposition in the House (be it the House of Representatives or the state legislative assembly) is very important. But since the independence of Malaysia, it has not been honoured like other countries of mature democracy acknowledge the post.

The Selangor PR Government made a tremendous stride when they allocated RM8,260 per month with plenty other privileges to the Opposition Leader in the State Legislative Assembly.

With this, this position which is upheld through the democratic pr In this position he also transported through the democratic process of the people’s voice can be used to jointly develop the state. Opposition leaders can have complete office efficiency with enough research officers and Opposition leaders can have a complete office efficiency with enough research officer and able to debate and make constructive criticism to state that ultimately benefit the people.

The question now is would the Opposition Leader from BN in Selangor receive the allowances and privileges or will he reject with narrow political party thinking.

If he accepts it, he would admit the wrong practice of the Central and State Governments under BN in denying the role of Opposition Leaders elected by the people.

This is how the politics of the nation should be practiced with policy competition and competition in improvements which will ultimately strengthen democracy and benefit the people.

SAMM has greats hopes to see the Prime Minister, who is also the Finance Minister, to make the word ‘transformation’ as his daily chant when tabling the Budget 2014 this Friday which can truly welcome the moves taken by the Penang and Selangor PR Governments.

This move is also positive and everyone should move to strengthen democracy by acknowledging the role of PR members of parliament by taking into account the channeling of provisions through those elected by the people and uphold the role of the Malaysian Parliament by acknowledging privileges for Malaysian Opposition Leaders.

Without that, the ‘transformation’ chant will continue being a rhetoric laughed by those from the country and abroad.

Badrul Hisham Shaharin
Youth Solidarity Malaysia

Household Income of RM3,000 Eligible to Receive Prize Children Offered Places in Universities

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SHAH ALAM, 24 Oct: The Selangor Government Executive Councillors approved the qualifications for the Prize offered to Selangor children offered places in local universities from a household income of RM1,500 to RM3,000 a month.

The Exco in charge of Education, Higher Education and Human Capital Development, Dr Halimah Ali said the implementation of the scheme was agreed upon as the state’s financial status is strong and effective.

Dr Halimah said the approval of the eligibility is the first implementation of the State Government manifesto after the 13th General Election.

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“Originally, we wanted to include this implementation in the framework of the 2014, but with the wisdom of the Chief Minister, Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim, in safeguarding the Selangor Government’s finances, this effort is able to be implemented earlier.

“Eligible recipients are children of Selangor who receive offers to further their studies at the Diploma and Bachelor’s level from Private or Public Institutes of Higher Learning,” she said after the Exco Meeting at the State Secretary’s Building (SUK) yesterday.

She said the scheme is one of the pro-people programmes under the Merakyatkan Ekonomi Selangor (MES) agenda.

“The prize of RM1,000 is given to the children of Selangor from families earning RM3,000 and below to help them pursue their education in public or private institutes of higher learning accredited by the government.

“Until now, the amount recorded has reached over RM35.7 million spent on about RM35,772 participants who have benefited from this programme,” she said.

KUIS to Establish Islamic Banking Training and Research Centre in January 2014

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BANGI, 24 Oct: The Selangor International University College (KUIS) will sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Jeddah Islamic Development Bank (IDB) to establish an Islamic banking training and research centre, latest by 2014.

The proposed establishment is aimed at expanding knowledge on Islamic banking systems which is currently growing in the market.

The Reactor of KUIS, Assoc Prof Datuk Dr Ab Halim Tamuri said the programme will be handled by the Muamalat (Arabic for financial transaction) Faculty in addition to cooperation from other Public Institutes of Higher Learning (IPTA).

“The Board of Directors agree for us to have the MOU with the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) in Jeddah. Upon agreement, we will set up an Islamic banking training and research centre.

“The establishment will be led by the Dean of the Muamalat Faculty and the first meeting will be held in the near future, where the agreement will be signed, latest by 2014 January,” he said in a press conference yesterday.

He said that focus in training will be given to officers who do not have a background in Islamic banking but are working in the sector, as well as for non-Muslims.

“The proposal is seen as being able to expand internationally, seeing that Islamic banking currently controls 20 percent of the market. The study module will be done in the form of a bachelor’s degree and training certification, however the matter is still in the pipeline,” he said.

Budget 2014: National Deficit Expected to Increase by One Percent

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SHAH ALAM, 23 Oct: The Budget 2014 is expected to reach RM270 billion, involving an increase of nine percent compared to RM260 billion for the Budget 2013.

The increase is expected to cause the national fiscal deficit to increase by about 0.5 percent to one percent.

Terengganu PKR Chairman, Azan Ismail said the budget which will be tabled by the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak on 25 October will record a deficit for the 16th time in a row.

“This year, the amount if RM260 billion, but it may increase by about RM10 billion for 2014. This increase would cause the national deficit to increase by about one percent or at least 0.5 percent,” he said when contacted yesterday.

Azan said the approach used by Najib, who is also the Finance Minister, proves that the Barisan Nasional (BN) Government has failed in controlling spending by being responsible and prudent.

“For Pakatan Rakyat (PR), we will not guarantee a balanced budget, but we will try to present a budget where the deficit is not too high.

“If the increase in expenditure is RM10 billion to RM15 billion, we too have to increase to curb a higher increase in deficit,” he said.

Opposition Leader, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, presented the Alternative Budget summary which amounts to RM262 billion, compared to an estimated revenue of RM228 billion, with the deficit of RM34 billion, on 21 October.

Among the contributing factor involved in the reduction is that the emoluments that are reduced by 10 percent involves operating expenses that do not include emoluments and the effort is a part of the long-term measures to reduce the country’s debt of over RM500 billion.

Mukhriz Urged to Emulate Fairness, Wisdom of Selangor and Penang’s PR Government

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SHAH ALAM, 1 Oct: The Chief Minister of Kedah, Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir has been urged to learn from the Selangor and Penang Pakatan Rakyat governments in providing welfare to all sincerely without political interests.

Member of Parliament for Penang Hill, Zairil Khir Johari said that the media has reported that the Kedah Government does not entertain any request for assistance from Chinese vernacular schools and only focuses its priorities on national schools.

“Such statements by a Chief Minister, as the supreme leader of the state, are not only irresponsible and vengeful in nature, but it is like no lesson has been learned from history,” he said.

Zairil said, that the Selangor Government had earlier announced that the Opposition Leader of the Selangor State Assembly will receive additional allowances amounting to RM8,620 per month, including the use of an official car.

Meanwhile, the Penang State Government announced an allocation of RM40,000 per year to be given to BN opposition Assemblymen for infrastructure projects.

“The move by the Selangor and Penang governments do not only respect democracy and the people’s choices, but it is also in line with the desire for national integration,” said Zairil in a statement.

Bank Negara Proposes to Introduce Financial Education in Schools

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KUALA LUMPUR, 8 Oct: Financial Education will be incorporated into core subjects in primary and secondary school education as a step forward to raise financial awareness and smart management among consumers in the country.

For the success of the effort, the Assistant Governor of Bank Negara Malaysia, Abu Hassan Alshari Yahya, said that they are currently in talks with the Ministry of Education and related agencies.

“We want awareness of financial management to begin at a young age.

“Starting with basic financial knowledge (Primary School), students will be thought the culture of saving, prudent spending and the importance of investment (Secondary School),” he said.

He said this after launching the Prudent Financial Month themed ‘Financial Responsibility Begins With Me’ at Sasana Kijang, Bank Negara Malaysia in the capital yesterday.

Also present was the Vice-President and the Head of Community Financial Services at Maybank, Datuk Lim Hong Tat, and the President of Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (FOMCA), Datuk Marimuthu Nadason.

According to Abu Hassan, by year 2014, financial education will be implemented in Primary Schools. Meanwhile for Secondary Schools, by the year 2017.

For starters, financial education will be integrated in the Malay Language and Mathematics subjects for Standard 3 students.

If the trial is successful, Abu Hassan does not rule out the possibility of making Financial Education a core subject in schools.

Subjects that will be covered include money management, credit and debt, as well as protection and insurance schemes.

BN Government Unprofessional in Dealing with the Fake Degree Issue

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KUALA LUMPUR, 2 Oct: The Central Government is not professional in dealing with the issue of using fake degrees from abroad by some leaders of Barisan Nasional (BN).

Member of Parliament for Serdang, Dr Ong Kian Ming was disappointed when the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim, did not answer the question in detail despite the various evidence presented.

“He (Shahidan) did not answer questions on the use of fake degrees by ministers. Instead, he only referred to civil servants.

“He merely said that the government will only act when an individual uses it to get jobs in the public service.

“The answer is not professional,” he said at a press conference at the Parliament lobby today.

Previously, Ong revealed two Members of Parliament from BN who received their academic qualifications from dubious institutions.

University Enrollment Gift Limit of Eligibity Increase To RM3000

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SUBANG JAYA, 23 SEPT: In the Selangor Budget 2014, the Government will increase the Children’s University Enrolment Gift limit of eligibility from a household income of RM1,500 to RM3,000 a month.

Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim said the state’s strong financial position enables pro-people empowerment programmes such as this.

“We are able to increase this incentive following the state’s reserves which has increased up to almost RM3 billion,” he said at the opening ceremony of the 2014 Budget Dialogue Ceremony at the Grand Dorsett Subang Jaya.

This scheme is part of Selangor’s People Based Economy (MES) agenda.

The prize worth RM1,000 is given to children of families in Selangor that earn RM1,500 and less, to assist their further education to government-accredited higher public/private institutions pursuing either a diploma or degree.

So far, RM35.7 million has been spent on approximately 35,722 participants who benefited from the programme.

“The response to this program is very impressive and it certainly benefits the people of Selangor,” he said.

Selangor Budget 2014 Offers Varsity Scholarships

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SUBANG JAYA, SEPT 23: Selangor’s Budget 2014 will be offering Chief Minister Scholarships with an allocation of RM1.1 million as a start.

The Exco for Education, Higher Education and Human Capital Development, Dr. Halimah Ali, said the scholarship will be awarded to postgraduate students via issuance of bonds in an effort to form a Selangor Brain Bank.

She said this will be presented during the 2014 Budget in November, which will commence early 2014.

“For the Education, Higher Education and Human Capital Development portfolio, we provide both short and long-term plannings for the people of Selangor.

“After providing successful services to the people of this state last term, Pakatan Selangor will further enhance our service with this offer,” she told reporters after the presenting the proposal during the State Budget Dialogue 2014 at the Grand Dorset Subang Jaya.

Halimah also added that among the things that will be implemented next year includes a Study of Social Policy Centre.

“This Centre will be governed by the local authorities with aims to investigate which state policies should be implemented. However, the cost needed to operate the Centre is still under discussion,” she said.

In addition, she also informed that RM11.6 million will be allocated by the State Government for the development of human capital.

In a presentation entitled ‘Mengehsankan Insan Di Selangor‘, seven short and long-term plans to address education, higher education and social ills will be implemented within the next five years.

Among them will be creating life-long learning, upgrading skills, creating Selangor Open Campus, IMBE skills programme, Sultan Salahuddin Idris Shah Centre of Excellence, and the enactment of Selangor Islamic Education, the Maahad Tahfiz Integration.

“This plan is currently being studied for implementation. For example, we want to create Maahad Tahfiz in each district. So far we have three and we need six more,” she said.

PTPTN Debt Crisis Must be Addressed Immediately

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SHAH ALAM, 11 SEPT: The struggles of university students who are not given the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) loan because the body has failed to collect from defaulters needs to be dealt with immediately.

The Exco in charge of Education, Higher Education and Human Capital Development, Dr Halimah Ali said that the Federal Government’s delay in acting will affect the opportunities for students to pursue their studies in Institutes of Higher Learning (IPT).

“The problem of education must be addressed as stated by the Minister of Education in the launching ceremony of the Malaysian Education Development Plan 2013-2025 recently.

“Focus on this matter is important, not only because it involves the majority of Bumiputera students, but access and facilities should be provided if the Federal Government does not want opportunities of other students to be affected,” he stressed.

Halimah said this in response to media reports explaining that at least 15,000 students will not receive the PTPTN loan of the body fails to recover RM300 million worth of loans which have been issued.

Ministers Too Send Their Children Abroad

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SHAH ALAM, 11 SEPT: Ministers of the Federal Government who send their children abroad to study indicates the serious crisis of confidence in Malaysia’s education plan.

Member of Parliament for Batu, Tian Chua said this in response to the statement by the Minister of Education II, Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh who said that those who do not agree with the national education plan can send their children overseas.

“That is because they do not care about the development of national education, because they are more concerned about the future of their own children with the education abroad,” he stressed.

Idris recently said that there has been no objection and criticism that can stop Putrajaya’s plans to implement the Malaysian Education Development Plan 2013-2025 (PPPM).

The plan has received negative reaction from Chinese organisations such as Dong Zhong and also the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) political party.

“The Minister of Education should hold a second round of discussions with the public intensively to receive the views of different interest groups to be applied in the final document of the education plan as promised,” explained academic, Ong Kian Ming in a press statement.

The Member of Parliament for Serdang explained that there are many concerned parties who have asked the Ministry to not rush in implementing the PPPM, but to provide more time to study the plan.

According to Ong, critics such as those mentioned in the internal memo of the Malaysian Independent Review Panel, headed by Vice-Chancellor of the Albukhary International University, Tan Sri Dzulkifli Abdul Razak, is of the opinion that the changes mentioned in the PPPM is ‘incremental’ in nature and not a critical reform that is necessary to restore the education system country.

According to him, proposals such as the construction of According to him, the proposed construction of schools such as the flow of the People’s Religious Schools (SAR) in accordance with the needs and demands of parents ignored the Girl Guides Association.

Among the things neglected includes the coordinating of technical, vocational and skills schools between the ministries, and the expansion of the role of State and District Governments.