Tag: Education

Bandar Baru Ampang Mosque Completes Needs of the Local Community

4.1

AMPANG, July 26: The construction of the new mosque in Bandar Baru Ampang completes the needs of the local community to perform prayers, develop character, and embrace the noble values of Islam.

The mosque was inaugurated by the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin IdrisShah, who officiated it after the Iftar with the people yesterday.

The mosque which was built at a cost of RM5 million is the initiative of the Lambah Jaya Assemblyman and the Public Works Department (PWD). It was fully completed on 22 October 2009 and has been officially used by parishioners since December 2009.

The mosque design features modern architecture and extensive use of glass and has an area of 7,500 square feet which can accommodate a congregation of 2,000.

It is also equipped with facilities of a Imam room, a muezzin room, administrative offices, a class room, a meeting room, a funeral ceremony room and a food

Before the construction of this mosque, the local community had to go to mosques and suraus which were located rather far from their homes,

At the same ceremony, the Sultan presented Aidilfitri (Eif al-Fitr) contributions to about 507 asnaf orphans, poor and needy, and new Muslims living in Hulu Lanagat.

All the recipients received donations amounting to RM400 per person, while orphans received RM100 per person.

In addition to that, the Sultan also received zakat worth RM1 million from Maybank Islamic Berhad for the 2012 financial year end.

Accompanying the Sultan at the occasion was the Chief Minister, Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim, the State Government Secretary, Datuk Mohamed Khusrin Munawi, and the Jasi Director, Datuk Marzuki Husin as well as state Executive Councillors., as well as the state executive council line.

4.2

Selangor Targets 10 Million Tourists by 2018

2

SHAH ALAM, July 26: By 2018, the Selangor Government targets for 10 million tourists to visit Selangor, says Exco for Tourism, Consumer Affairs and Environment, Elizabeth Wong.

Elizabeth says the estimate is based on the increasing number of tourists every year in addition to the State Government’s target of 7 million tourists for the Visit Selangor Year 2015.

She said that as of now, the number of tourists has recorded a positive development; which is 6 million last year.

She said to realise the 10 million target, the State Government will change their promotional strategy.

“We also want to train tour drivers to be fluent in foreign languages and not only in English. This is because the increase in tourists in Selangor consists of tourists who are not from Europe.

In addition, the State Government will upgrade and maintain tourist sites in the next five years to add value and strengthen existing products.

She has targeted four rural areas that need attention, including Sabak Bernam, Kuala Langat, Hulu Langat and Hulu Selangor.

Elizabeth added that at least 300 existing tourism sites have been identified to be improved or promoted.

“It encompasses the maintenance of the surrounding areas, reparation of public facilities and the improving of existing building structures,” she said.

“But from the amount, we may not work on all. It depends on the needs of the area as well.

“An example is the Sekinchan area which is now developing as a tourist destination. If we move a little ahead to Sabak Bernam, it would certainly grow because it has great potential to be developed.

“We want these places to be upgraded to an international tourism status, we want foreign and domestic tourists coming to the area because it will improve the financial status of villagers and the local population,” she said.

BASE Creates a Knowledgeable and Charitable Generation

3.1

KLANG, July 21: Knowledgeable, independent and serves the community.

These are the core values embedded in the Selangor Charity Brigade (BASE) young activists to make them individuals who serve the public, be it helping the poor or even flood victims.

“We want to create a generation that is useful to the community where they like to help and can cooperate,” said the Exco for Education, Higher Education and Human Capital Development, Dr Halimah Ali.

3.2

She said this in a speech during the BASE Ramadan Charity Programme at the Muhajirin Surau here in Taman Sungai Sireh today.

The programme was attended by about 80 participants consisting of youths from the neighborhood and its surrounding areas.

The Deputy Director of BASE, Azraee Haron said that the programme includes motivational and religious workshops for participants handled by invitation instructors.

Participants are given guidance and exposure to the community so that they can feel close to the local community and have the spirit of mutual cooperation.

“BASE plans to run several programmes starting from the beginning to the end of this Ramadan month. Today, we are holding two programmes here and at Rantau Panjang, and next week at Jeram.

“We provide assistance in the form of our energy to the community just like last year when flooding occurred in this area.

“We help those who need to be relocated, registered those involved and provide other assistance to the authorities (then),” he said when met.

Azraee said that the programmes conducted by BASE have received encouraging response and cooperation from all parties in Selangor.

Meanwhile, Dr Halimah said that BASE, which started since the early State Government administration in 2008, emphasises education programmes from various aspects, including religion, for participants.

“From there, one can also be read to act as a volunteer, which would certainly bring about benefits to religion, race and the country,” said Dr Halimah.

SPIES Able to Provide Additional Motivation to Students

2.1

KLANG July 21: Many parents feel that the Spiritual, Physical, Intellectual, Emotional and Social (S.P.I.E.S) programme is capable of developing character for children to be successful in the future.

For father, Mohd Khairullah Mohd Shafie, 42, motivational programmes organised by SPIES can provide additional confidence to students in facing examinations to take advantage of time to study hard.

“Most children do not know the techniques or the correct way if they want to succeed. So thought this motivational programme, it is explained to students the best method if they want to become successful,” he said.

He was met when attending the Mahabbah Towards the Excellence of Children of the World programme held at Dewan Putra, Kampung Dalek here in Klang today.

2.2

The programme was organised especially for parents, teachers and students of the Religious Primary School (SRA) which will be facing the Religious Primary School Assessment (PSRA) this year.

Meanwhile, for mother, Fauziah Abdullah, 39, this motivational programms is beneficial to her on how to educate her children.

“Perhaps many people are less focused of the spiritual aspects of education. It is important for children to build character and identity to become useful individuals.

“So through this programme, I can now understand a little on how to educate a child,” she added.

The programme was officiated by the Exco for Education, Higher Education and Human Capital Development, Dr Halimah Ali.

Dr Halimah said that children should be made aware of the responsibilities that they will shoulder for the future of themselves and their family.

“Children are very valuable assets in the future if nurtured in the right way.

“That is why the State Government is always attentive to undertake human capital development on the while, including for children,” she said.

MBPJ Donates Cash, School Bags to Orphans

1.1

KUALA LUMPUR, July 21: Concerned with the less fortunate, the Petaling Jaya City Council, (MBPJ) has donated cash and school supplies to the less fortunate in Petaling Jaya.

The contribution in the form of RM100 cash and school bags was presented to 150 orphans from orphanage homes around Sections 3,4 PJS 6, 8, 10 and the children of MBPJ staff.

The contribution was presented by the Mayor of Petaling Jaya, Datin Paduka Alinah Ahmad in a ceremony here yesterday.

In addition to the contribution, MBPJ also held an Iftar with the involved orphans and local residents, and held a religious lecture.

1.2

Seri Setia Assemblyman, Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad said that the caring attitude proves that MBPJ’s role is not only to collect taxes and carry out responsibilities to the taxpayer, but also to carry out social responsibilities to the community in Petaling Jaya.

“The initiatives undertaken by MBPJ are a good thing, because in Petaling Jaya Selatan, it is slightly different from Petaling Jaya Utara, where there are more social and socio-economic problems here.

“Programmes like this is very helpful and we hope that other parties, be it private or government, would emulate MBPJ by holding similar programmes in this area,” said Nik Nazmi when met at the event.

In addition, Nik Nazmi said that programmes such as these are also able to strengthen the relationship between local authorities involved and the community here.

The programme organised by the MBPJ Islamic Body and MBPJ itself received cooperation for the Al-Islamiah Mosque community and the locals.

UPM Knowledge Endowment Fund Collects Over RM2.4 Million to Help Poor Students

4.1

SERDANG July 20: The Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) Knowledge Endownment Fund established two years ago managed to collect over RM2.4 million donated by various parties such as industry members, corporate partners and people of the university itself.

UPM Vice Chancellor, Prof Datuk Dr Mohd Fauzi Ramlan said, the progress is a proud thing for UPM as they strive to empower national education by providing higher education opportunities to the poor.

He said that the Endowment Fund was launched on 16 August 2011 by DYMM the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, who is also the Chancellor for UPM.

“The main objective the Knowledge Endowment Fund was established is to fund university education for the next generation, even more so for the poor who cannot afford to finance their studies.

“We believe that knowledge has the strength it takes to develop a new society and civilization.

“These efforts are able to strengthen self-esteem among the young people today,” he said at in a speech at the Fast Breaking Ceremony and Terawih prayer with the UPM Chancellor at the UPM Mosque Square.

The Sultan of Selangor consented to present donations to 50 school students and 30 UP students who are from needy (miskin) asnaf group.

He also consented to receive business Zakat from UPM Holdings Sdn Bhd totalling to RM173,000 at the same event.

Also present was the Chief Minister, Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim.

Mohd Fauzi said that DYMM the Sultan of Selangor as the university Chancellor has always been seriously committed to the people to perform rituals, mingle and take advantages to channel contributions to those in need.

4.2

Sultan of Selangor Urge State Government to Upgrade Libraries

3.1

SHAH ALAM, July 18: The Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah reminded the State Government to upgrade libraries in every district, including the Raja Tun Uda library which he visited today.

He said that libraries are buildings of knowledge, in fact, libraries can also be used as recreation place where parents and families can come together to read books and reference.

“Therefore, it should be done and do not soon forget because as we know, there are a lot of other activities in the quest for knowledge that can be carried out in libraries.

3.2

“I also understand that a parking area should be constructed immediately because of the crowded atmosphere when visitors visit the Raja Tun Uda library.

“I also assent that the existing landscape around the library to be upgraded and green trees added to make this area beautiful, and create a clean healthy environment.”

He said this during a book donation to the library ceremony here at Section 13.

He also called upon the people of Selangor to collectively care for and preserve the library and all the books in it so that it would be a landmark of a building of knowledge.

In addition, DYMM Sultan Sharafuddin also consented to present a donation of books from the Selangor Zakat Board (LZS) worth RM200,000 to the Selangor Public Library Corporation.

The book contribution totaling 2,780 copies used the Fisabilillah allocation and include various types of books including those on Islam, art and fiction.

He also consented to donate four copies of Braille al-Qur’an to selected recipients of the Braille Association of Malaysia.

3.3

In addition to LZS, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) also donated 50 netbooks.

Meanwhile, Worldwide Holdings Berhad also handed a donation of books worth RM50,000 and Al Bukhary donated RM13,000.

Accompanying the Sultan was the Raja Muda Selangor, Tengku Amir Shah; the Selangor Chief Minister, Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim; the Selangor State Assembly Speaker, Hannah Yeoh and members of the State Executive Council.

Also present was the Chairman of the Selangor Islamic Religious Coucil, Datuk Setia Mohamad Adzib Mohd Isa; the Chairman of LZS, Tan Sri Syed Anwar Tuanku Syed Putra Jamalullail and Selangor Mufti, Datuk Setia Mohd Tamyes Abdul Wahid.

Selangor Sultan Officiates RM4.1 Million Bandar Baru Sungai Buluh Mosque

4.1

PETALING JAYA, July 17: DYMM (His Royal Highness) the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah officiated the Bandar Baru Sungai Buluh Mosque here in conjunction with the DYMM Sultan of Selangor with the People Fast Breaking Ceremony.

The mosque building was constructed by the MK Land Company at a cost of RM4.1 million and can accommodate a congregation of 5,000, and this mosque is also known as the Yellow Mosque because of its yellow dome.

Sultan Sharafuddin also named the mosque the Bandar Baru Sungai Buluh Mosque.

In the same occasion, the Sultan donated Hari Raya Aidilfitri (Eid al-Fitr) contributions to 302 Asnaf comprising of orphans, the poor-needy (fakir-miskin), new converts and Tahfiz students.

4.2

Meanwhile, the Gapurna Chairman, Tan Sri Abdul Halim Ali in his speech said that the company has also contributed in terms of finance and material to upgrade the mosque.

“Among the upgrades include painting the walls of the mosque, repairing the ablution area and toilets, changing Kalimantan lights to floodlights for the pulpit, fixing and replacing the speaker system.

“Also fixed are helicopter fans at the main mosque area and the installation of additional tanks based on the list of priorities provided by the Mosque Committee,” he said.

Accompanying the Sultan of Selangor at the event was the Chief Minister, Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim, the State Government Secretary, Datuk Mohammed Khusrin Munawi and the JAIS Director, Datuk Marzuki Husin.

4.3

Zaril Disputes the RM6.6 Billion Cost to Supply Chromebook Laptops by YTL

5

SHAH ALAM, July 16: The action of the Ministry of Education to provide Chromebook laptops to schools under the ‘1Student1Device’ programme through YTL Corporation Bhd (YTL) raises questions because the RM6.6 billion cost is believed to be too high.

Penang Hill Member of Parliament, Zairil Khir Johari said, according to the answers given during the Parliamentary session questioning, it was stated that the overall cost involving 5.5 million students throughout the country who will receive laptops at the price of RM1,200 each in addition to the cost of licensing and maintenance.

According to him, the Ministry of Education can save costs by buying directly from the supplier, Samsung or Acer compared to awarding the project to YTL, a company which is not a manufacturer or distributor of computers.

“Under the guidelines of the Ministry, the Chromebook supply to schools will either be the Samsung Chromebook or the Acer Chromebook, both of which are Wi-Fi enabled.

“My initial checking on the retail prices revealed that the Samsung Chromebook with Wi-Fi is sold at RM988 in Malaysia, while the 4G unit is sold at a retail price of RM1,299.

“These prices are higher than the cost of similar units around the world. Based on a comparison I did, between the United States/Canada (Acer C7 Wi-Fi (RM633), Samsung Wi-Fi (RM792), Australia (Acer C7 Wi-Fi (RM952), Samsung Wi-Fi (RM1,111) and the united Kingdom (Acer C7 Wi-Fi (RM943), Samsung Wi-Fi (RM1,085),” he said in a press statement today.

For starters, he said, the supply of the laptops involves early bookings for 116,399 units at a cost of RM139.6 million.

He questioned why the ministry paid RM1,200 for the Samsung Wi-Fi unit when the same unit is sold for only RM988?

“In fact, the ministry will definitely get a big discount with orders amounting to 116,399 units and will buy another 5.4 million units in line with the ‘1Student1Device’ programme,” he said.

Not only that, Zairil said that YTL and its subsidiaries was awarded other projects that has profited the ministry which is the installation of 4G high-speed broadband under the 1BestariNet programme to all schools (RM663 million for a 2.5 year contract).

The Virtual Learning Platform (VLE) for teachers, students and parents (RM250.5 million for licensing fees for a fixed duration and RM262.8 million for management and maintenance costs).

Dr Halimah: Over RM76 Million Given to SAR, SJKC and SJKT

4

SHAH ALAM, July 8: The Selangor Government has provided more than RM76 million of assistance to People’s Religious Schools (SAR), Chinese Vernacular Schools (SJKC) and Tamil Vernacular Schools (SJKT) throughout the state since 2009 till May this year.

Education, Higher Education and Human Capital Development Exco, Dr Halimah Ali said under the Merakyatkan Ekonomi Selangor (MES or loosely translated as the People’s Economy) agenda, the state has allocated RM16 million annually to the three types of schools.

The provision, she said, if RM6 million each to SAR and SJKC, and RM4 million to SJKT.

Dr Halimah said of RM 76,276,467.80, RM 30,227,772 has been allocated to SAR, RM 26,505,000 to SJKC and RM 19,543,695.80 to SJKT.

She said this in reply to queries by Tanjung Sepat Assemblyman, Mohd Haslin Hassan during today’s Selangor State Assembly (DNS) session here

MES Program Suggestions For Youth

5

SHAH ALAM, July 3: In order to produce the next generation of excellent Selangorians, the State Government has been asked to formulate Merakyatkan Ekonomi Selangor (MES or loosely translated as the People’s Economy) programmes especially for youths.

Speaking at the Selangor State Assembly (DNS) session this morning, Batu Caves Assemblyman, Amiruddin Shari said that existing efforts should be expanded with a range of programmes covering social, economy, education and cultural aspects.

“I call on the State Government to study and formulate special schemes to finance free exam fees and this is like a spiritual struggle in education.

“The State Government may create a Second Chance Scheme for youths who failed in main examinations (SPM, STPM) to be given a second chance,” said Amiruddin while presenting his argument this morning.

In addition, he also stressed the importance of the development of sports infrastructure in the state for the use of youths.

“I propose for existing facilities to be upgraded and enhanced for a better and bigger impact in the development of sports.

“In relation to that, I ask for the State Government to review the allocation for state sports development,” he added.

He also highlighted the proposal to create Mimbar Scheme for the youth, to increase cultural activities for the young people and to open more vocational education centres.

Selangor Government Provides Assistance Regardless of Political Affiliation

9

SHAH ALAM, July 2: The State Government reminded all government officials, including the Social Welfare Department (JKM) to be professional when working by prioritising the interest of the people in Selangor without being biased.

Welfare and Women’s Affairs Exco, Rodziah Ismail said that all officers and employees have been asked to be open and responsible in discharging their duties regardless of political affiliation.

“All JKM officers are reminded to enhance their level of professionalism and to put the receiver who is truly in need as the priority basis without taking into account political background.

“Therefore, if there are any other officers who still do this, please report their names for further action.”

Rodziah said this when answering a question by Dusun Tua Assemblyman, Razaly Hassan during the Selangor State Assembly (DNS) session here today.