10/10/2024

THURSDAY | OCT 10, 2024

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Youths want more TVET, early childhood funding

Promoting BM in foreign universities

MALACCA: The Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) plans to expand its Bahasa Melayu language programmes at several universities abroad to promote and elevate the national language. DBP language and literature development department director Mohd Salahuddin Mohamed said universities in countries such as China, Thailand and Japan are part of this initiative. “So far, there are 15 universities in China with Malay studies faculties, eight in Thailand and several universities in Japan that offer Malay language courses,” he said. “It’s encouraging to see the growing presence of the Malay language abroad and it’s even more gratifying when we meet representatives from these countries who can speak Malay fluently.” Mohd Salahuddin said this at the inauguration ceremony and launch of the National Language Month at the Malacca state level, officiated by state senior exco for housing, local government, drainage, climate change and disaster management Datuk Rais Yasin. He further elaborated that in Japan, DBP sends books as reference materials for Malay language courses, while in China, the agency organises Malay speech competitions among universities. – Bernama RM1.2m allocated for environmental efforts BANGI: The Housing and Local Government Ministry has allocated RM1.21 million to local authorities to support the ministry’s environmental campaign this year, according to minister Nga Kor Ming. He said the funds were allocated for the implementation of seven campaigns, including Premis Makanan Bersih, Pasar Awam Bersih, and Tandas Awam PBT Bersih, Menawan dan Wangi . Other programmes include Kempen Membasmi Infestasi Tikus , Pengurusan Haiwan Terbiar, Cegah Wabak Denggi and Membasmi Hotspot Denggi. “The allocation is essential for local authorities, particularly for repairing and upgrading public facilities that are damaged or in poor condition, as well as for organising gotong-royong activities with the local community,” he said during his speech at the ministy-level World Environmental Health Day 2024 celebration on Tuesday. His speech was delivered by Deputy Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Aiman Athirah Sabu. – Bernama Seven enforcement agencies to be merged PUTRAJAYA: The Agriculture and Food Security Ministry plans to merge seven enforcement agencies under its purview to strengthen regulation within the agro-food sector. The agencies involved in the merger include the Kawalselia Padi dan Beras regulatory body, Department of Quarantine and Inspection Services, Department of Agriculture, Veterinary Services Department, Fisheries Department, Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority and the Fisheries Development Authority. Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu announced that the reform proposal will be presented to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim during a meeting scheduled for Nov 1. “The reform efforts undertaken by the ministry are not motivated by any political agenda. Instead, they focus on the betterment and future of the industry,” he said during a press conference following the ministry’s monthly assembly yesterday. – Bernama

o Young leaders seek greater support for education, digital entrepreneurship and scholarships in Budget 2025

the government will expand the scholarship assistance programme to cover all research fields for students in institutions of higher learning. “Scholarships should empower the country’s human capital and support the development of education by covering research fields,” he said. Luqman Hakim also recommended that the government provide an aid scheme to help young entrepreneurs enter the digital sector. “This is a key opportunity for the government to consider as the digital economy significantly contributes to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). Supporting startups led by youths will increase the number of young entrepreneurs and boost the sector,” he said. On Oct 4, Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo announced that the digital economy is projected to contribute up to 25.5% to GDP by the end of next year, Bernama reported. He highlighted that Malaysia is on track to meeting this target as digital investment rose to RM66.22 billion in the first half of this year, up from RM46.2 billion in 2023.

KUALA LUMPUR: An increase in the Skills Development Fund Corporation (SDFC) and a rise in the number of government supervised early childhood education centres are among the key expectations of youths for Budget 2025, which will be tabled in Parliament on Oct 18. Malaysian Youth Council president Mohd Izzat Afifi Abdul Hamid said the SDFC fund needs to be increased due to the growing number of students in technical and vocational education and training (TVET) and the rising costs of these programmes. “The government allocated RM180 million in this year’s budget. We hope that the amount will be increased according to current needs,” he said in a recent interview. He noted that the announcement by the National Technical and Vocational Education and Training Council on Sept 23 of a premium salary range of RM2,500 to RM4,000

for TVET graduates is expected to boost interest in the field for the next academic year. “During the recent Human Resources Ministry town hall, there was a demand to enter TVET and for skills college staff to be expanded. If the government agrees to increase funds for SDFC, I hope it also extends to the National Dual Training Scheme,” he said. Mohd Izzat Afifi also suggested that the government increase the number of early childhood education centres, such as kindergartens and preschools. “Young families continue to struggle with low wages, the high cost of living and expensive private kindergarten fees. More kindergartens and preschools are essential, as current facilities are insufficient to meet demand,” he said. Meanwhile, Prihatin Malaysia president Luqman Hakim Md Zim expressed hope that

WATER TRANSPORT ... A resident using a boat to navigate the floodwaters in Simpang Renggam, one of the districts hit by the latest deluge in Johor. – BERNAMAPIC

Cooperative Societies Act 1993 to be amended KUALA LUMPUR: The Co-operative Societies Act 1993 is set to be amended, involving 96 existing provisions, which will be restructured and improved, according to Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick. included in the Act will address the liberalisation of cooperative businesses and governance issues, including regulations on the registration of cooperatives. The draft amendment was developed based on recommendations from agencies under the ministry, following a survey.

cooperative movement and enhancing cooperation between the federal and state governments. Ewon also announced that the launch of the 2025 International Year of Cooperatives, organised by Angkatan Koperasi Kebangsaan Malaysia Berhad, will take place this December. “We hope that this year’s celebrations will feature numerous events, including National Cooperative Day in Malacca. “We also plan to host several conferences with Asean countries to explore how regional cooperation can be strengthened to develop cooperative communities, aligning with the Asean chairmanship led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim,” he said. Ewon added that there are currently 16,009 registered cooperatives in Malaysia, with 455 new cooperatives registered this year. – Bernama

He said the draft amendment is being prepared and will be presented to the Cabinet before being tabled in the Dewan Rakyat next year. “We expect to include up to 200 new amendments in the Act, focusing on basic matters that have already been agreed upon. These changes aim to strengthen regulatory elements and ensure that cooperative legislation remains relevant to the current economic environment,” he said during a press conference following the National Cooperative Consultative Council (NCCC) meeting on Tuesday. Ewon noted that the main provisions to be

“We will engage with cooperatives nationwide to gather their feedback on this proposal before taking it to Parliament for consideration,” he added. Earlier, Ewon chaired the NCCC meeting which was attended by Malaysian Cooperative Societies Commission chief executive officer Datuk Rusli Jaafar and heads of agencies under the ministry. The meeting featured the presentation of several papers, including the proposed amendments to the Act. The discussion focused on setting the direction for the development of the national