01/08/2025

FRIDAY | AUG 1, 2025

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Secondary education mandatory for all children

Digital inclusion index to bridge access gap PETALING JAYA: The Digital Ministry is developing the Malaysia Digital Inclusion Index to serve as a national benchmark for assessing digital access, usage and benefits, with the goal of ensuring equitable access to technology across the country. In a written response to Parliament, the ministry said the index would leverage comprehensive data on digital infrastructure, technology skills, service affordability and participation in the digital economy to identify the digital divide more precisely and guide the development of targeted policies. “As of May, the national 5G penetration rate reached 80.4%, with about 27.4 million active users, strengthening Malaysia’s position as a regional leader in digital connectivity and communications technology,” the ministry said. As of June 30, Digital Nasional Berhad had rolled out 7,489 5G sites, achieving 82.4% coverage of populated areas nationwide. In Perak, 5G coverage stands at 80.9%, while in the Parit parliamentary constituency, coverage is at 55.1%. To further close the digital gap, the government has established 1,099 national information dissemination centres, aimed at providing shared internet access to low-income and rural communities. – by Qirana Nabilla Mohd Rashidi

schools did not sit for the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia examination in 2024 – an improvement from the 8,676 students in 2023. “The consistent decline since 2022 reflects increased student awareness and the effectiveness of focused interventions,” it stated. To improve attendance monitoring, the eKehadiran system under the student attendance app has been implemented nationwide. Additionally, intervention task forces at the national, state and district levels are tracking and re-engaging students at risk of dropping out. “We also hold national performance dialogues to discuss absenteeism trends and coordinate responses,” the ministry added. Other measures include community-based initiatives, consultations with parents and outreach programmes involving local education offices and community leaders. To support early detection, the ministry is also developing a new student detection system powered by artificial intelligence, aimed at identifying potential dropouts before they occur.

scope of exceptions as long as no child is excluded or discriminated against,” she added. She stressed the need to engage unregistered educational institutions, noting that parents may bear legal responsibility when schools are not formally recognised. “Our concern is that when schools are not registered, the legal burden shifts to the parents. That’s why it’s crucial for these institutions to register with the ministry. “With a standardised curriculum in place, we can offer clearer guidance and address issues such as bullying more effectively.” The Education Ministry is working with state governments to help unregistered schools transition into the formal system, ensuring wider compliance with the new law. The legislation represents a significant step towards equitable access to education and aims to build a more inclusive and competitive generation of Malaysians. It also supports ongoing efforts to curb student dropout rates. In a written parliamentary reply on Wednesday, the ministry revealed that 6,246 students from government

o Landmark Bill amendment signals push for inclusive, standardised schooling nationwide and ensuring no child is left behind

Ű BY HARITH KAMAL AND FAIZ RUZMAN newsdesk@thesundaily.com

“This is a significant amount, provided temporarily to support both the public and the industry during the Covid-19 pandemic and the global supply chain crisis,” the ministry said. With market conditions now stabilising, the subsidy scheme has been restructured to make it more targeted and comprehensive. The Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry will continue to step up enforcement under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011, ensuring prices remain fair and protecting consumers from profiteering or price manipulation. “The step is crucial to ensure that prices charged to consumers remain reasonable and fair,” the statement read. – Bernama Act 1996 (Act 550) by introducing a new Section 32A, which mandates that all Malaysian parents residing in the country must enrol their children in a secondary-level institution and ensure they remain in school until completion. Non-compliance may result in a fine of up to RM5,000, imprisonment for up to six months or both. The amendment applies to a wide range of registered institutions, including national curriculum private schools, religious secondary schools, international and expatriate schools and Chinese independent schools. It also recognises secondary-level institutions registered under any other written law. Fadhlina said exceptions, such as homeschooling, will be considered on a case-by-case basis with valid justification. “We are open to broadening the

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia has taken a major step toward strengthening its education system with the passing of the Education (Amendment) Bill 2025, which makes secondary education compulsory for all Malaysian children. The Bill, tabled by Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek, was passed in the Dewan Rakyat on Wednesday following debates by 34 MPs from both the government and opposition. Describing the move as a historic and vital reform for the nation’s human capital development, Fadhlina said: “Education is the birthright of every child. The amendment ensures that right is extended to the secondary level.” The Bill amends the Education

Egg subsidy revamp takes effect today PUTRAJAYA: The government has announced the restructuring of chicken egg subsidies effective today as part of a phased and targeted approach to ensure greater sustainability and impact. government had spent about RM2.5 billion on chicken egg subsidies between February 2022 and December 2024.

The ministry said with market conditions now stabilising, the subsidy scheme has been restructured to make it more targeted and comprehensive. – ADIB RAWI YAHYA/THESUN

In a statement yesterday, the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry said the move aims to safeguard supply and maintain price stability for chicken eggs. As part of the initiative, the industry has agreed to introduce special grade eggs, which will be offered at more affordable prices. The ministry said consumers will still be able to purchase chicken eggs at competitive rates through the Agro Madani Sale and Rahmah Sale programmes, which are being actively implemented nationwide at locations managed by the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority and the Farmers’ Organisations Authority. The ministry revealed that the

13MP to introduce sweeping reforms in public cleaning management KUALA LUMPUR: The Housing and Local Government Ministry will introduce major reforms to public cleaning management under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), marking a shift towards innovation and sustainability in the sector. monitoring system. “Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will table the 13MP in Parliament tomorrow and among the core pillars to be announced is the Public Cleansing Reform,”he said during the 2025 Cleaners’ Day Appreciation Ceremony on Wednesday. The event, held to recognise the efforts of cleaning personnel, was organised by the Solid Waste Management and Public Cleansing Corporation (SWCorp). On enforcement, Nga noted that the Solid Waste Management and Public Cleansing (Amendment) Bill 2025, passed in the Dewan Rakyat last week, would enable courts to impose fines and community service orders on those found guilty of littering in public spaces. prosperous Malaysia,” he added. During the ceremony, SWCorp was presented with a certificate by The Malaysia Book of Records for creating the“Heaviest Bird Structure Made From Recycled Materials”.

Nga proposed that Cleaners’ Day be made an annual event to honour the vital contributions of cleaning workers across the country. “Their work is noble, and as a society we must change our perception and extend the respect they deserve,” he said.

The sculpture, which is part of SWCorp’s campaign to raise awareness about sustainability through art and waste reuse, is now on display along Kuantan Art Street as a symbol of green innovation in the urban landscape. – Bernama

Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming said the reforms would include dust-free road initiatives, the use of electric vehicles for night cleaning operations and the launch of a single window payment

“Let us not act responsibly out of fear of punishment but out of love for our country. Cultivating a collective sense of responsibility is key to building a cleaner, healthier and more

“I believe that with technological advancement, the cleaning sector must adapt to new innovations that will enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of daily operations.”