28/01/2026

WEDNESDAY | JAN 28, 2026

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Govt scraps Year One diagnostic test o Move aims to simplify process and avoid labelling children at early age: Anwar

opportunity to implement it effectively.” Anwar also revealed that the government is in talks with the Finance Ministry for an additional RM800 million allocation to support Malaysia’s transition to enrolling children in Year One at six years old. “This is a major national initiative that involves substantial expenditure. The funds would address urgent needs, including the recruitment of 18,000 new teachers and the expansion of government preschool capacity to 110,889 places, covering the Community Development Department, other government agencies, national integration preschools and Education Ministry institutions. “The Education Ministry, Finance Ministry and Economy Ministry have taken steps to expedite this.” He said Malaysia must keep pace with global education standards, citing Unesco data showing that 137 countries, more than 71% worldwide, enrol children in Year One at the age of six. The transition would be gradual, he said. “For the 2027 academic session, children aged six will begin Year One between Feb 15 and March 31 while five-year-olds may optionally enrol in preschool starting April 6. “We describe this as an option to ensure parents do not feel forced while allowing a full year of preparation.” Anwar said to ensure the policy is implemented effectively, the government is expanding educational infrastructure across primary, secondary, vocational, matriculation and teacher training institutions. He revealed that 10,514 preschool classrooms across 6,469 institutions have undergone expansion, with an additional 150 classrooms completed in 2025 and 350 new preschool classrooms planned for 2026. “The Education Ministry, Finance Ministry a cultural group that strengthens historical, artistic and cultural ties between Malaysia and India. “One society plays a major role in strengthening the historical and cultural ties between India and Malaysia. “Last month, the Lal Paad Saree iconic walk was organised in Malaysia. Odissi dance and Baul music also won the hearts of the people. “I am proud of the Indian diaspora in Malaysia. They are bringing India and Malaysia even closer.” MIHS president Prabhakaran Nair said Modi’s acknowledgment was “a moment of quiet pride and collective fulfilment” for the society. He added that it “affirms the value of working together with purpose, restraint and respect, guided by heritage, cultural understanding and goodwill. “It reflects not the efforts of any one individual, but the shared commitment, discipline and sincerity of the executive council, the Malaysia–India Heritage Group and society members, each of whom has contributed through cooperation, dedication Rahman, who secured 5,638 votes, and independent candidate Goldam Hamid, who garnered 946 votes. The Kinabatangan by-election was held on Dec 5 last year, following the death of the incumbent Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin, 66, who was also Mohd Kurniawan Naim’s father. In his proclamation speech after the swearing-in ceremony, Johari expressed hope that Mohd Kurniawan Naim would provide the best service to the residents of his constituency, apart from playing a constructive role in the Dewan Rakyat for the

PETALING JAYA: The government has made a U-turn on the planned Year One diagnostic test, scrapping it amid concerns that it could unfairly label young children and affect their psychological wellbeing. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim told the Dewan Rakyat yesterday that while the test was intended to assess whether children are ready for Year One or need an extra year of preparation, further review prompted the reversal. “After careful consideration, the Education Ministry proposed that the diagnostic test be abolished. I agree that it should be removed to simplify the process and avoid labelling children at an early age.” However, Anwar emphasised that evaluating a child’s readiness remains a shared responsibility between teachers and parents, even without formal testing. He highlighted preschool as a valuable preparatory stage, providing a full year to observe and assess children before they enter Year One. Education reforms often attract criticism, he noted. “That is the nature of reform. Test at Year Three, Year Four or Year Six and it is criticised. Do not test at all and it is criticised as well. “At this early stage, this is the proposal, and I hope parents and society would allow us the Ű BY QIRANA NABILLA MOHD RASHIDI newsdesk@thesundaily.com PETALING JAYA: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has praised the contributions of the Indian community in Malaysia ahead of his planned official visit to Kuala Lumpur in early February, describing the diaspora as a vital bridge in strengthening bilateral ties and promoting Indian culture. Speaking on the 130th episode of his monthly radio programme Mann Ki Baat (What’s On My Mind), he highlighted the role of Malaysians of Indian origin in preserving language, heritage and cultural traditions. He said Malaysia has more than 500 Tamil schools where the language is used not only as a subject, but also as a medium of instruction for other disciplines. “There is also a lot of focus on other Indian languages, including Telugu and Punjabi.” Modi emphasised Malaysia’s vibrant Indian cultural scene, citing performances of the Odissi dance and Baul music. He praised heritage initiatives organised by the Malaysia India Heritage Society (MIHS), Kinabatangan MP Mohd Kurniawan Naim Moktar took his oath as a member of the Dewan Rakyat at Parliament yesterday. The swearing-in ceremony was held before Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul, ahead of the Ministers’ Question Time session. Mohd Kurniawan Naim won the Kinabatangan parliamentary by-election on Saturday with an increased majority of 14,214 votes in a three-cornered contest. He defeated Warisan’s Datuk Saddi Abdul Ű BY FAIZ RUZMAN newsdesk@thesundaily.com

Anwar said Malaysia must keep pace with global education standards, citing Unesco data showing that 137 countries, more than 71% worldwide, enrol children in Year One at the age of six. – AMIRUL SYAFIQ/THESUN

and Economy Ministry are reviewing all aspects, including funding, infrastructure readiness and parental engagement, to ensure the policy is implemented as effectively as possible.” He acknowledged that some schools, particularly in urban areas, face overcrowding. “Temporary two-session days may be necessary for Year One and preschool children, although ideally schools should operate single sessions.” and steadfast support for our activities.” Modi is planning a visit to Malaysia in early February, with diplomatic sources indicating that he may engage the Indian community during his trip. The engagement forms part of his itinerary during a broader state visit that reflects growing diplomatic and cultural outreach between New Delhi and Kuala Lumpur. The planned visit follows years of deepening ties under India’s Act East Policy and complements high-level diplomatic engagement, including ministerial exchanges and multilateral cooperation within Asean frameworks. Modi last engaged Malaysia during the 22nd Asean-India Summit in October last year, which he attended virtually. India was represented on the ground in Kuala Lumpur by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar while Modi addressed regional leaders remotely and reaffirmed India’s commitment to the Asean-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and cooperation across economic and strategic sectors. benefit of the people and the nation. “I hope the honourable member will continue the legacy and contributions of his late father by making meaningful contributions, and serve with excellence and dedication.” Mohd Kurniawan Naim posed his first question in the Dewan Rakyat to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim during Ministers’ Question Time on the potential for attracting investment into rural areas, including the Kinabatangan constituency. – Bernama

Record trade performance achieved in 2025

Ű BY KIRTINEE RAMESH newsdesk@thesundaily.com

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia achieved its highest-ever trade performance last year, with total trade hitting RM3.061 trillion, a 6.3% increase from 2024, announced Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday. Answering a question from Petaling Jaya MP Lee Chean Chung, Anwar said Malaysia’s export sales reached RM1.63 trillion, driven by trade with countries including the United Kingdom, Thailand, Russia, Italy, France, Brazil, China, South Korea, Ethiopia, Kenya and South Africa. “Exports were largely dominated by liquefied natural gas, palm oil, electrical and electronic products, especially semiconductors, aerospace products, furniture, and other manufactured goods.” Anwar credited Malaysia’s record trade performance to its open trade policy, which spans 240 markets worldwide, despite global economic headwinds, including US-imposed measures and international political tensions. The country also recorded a trade surplus of RM151.8 billion, up 9.2% from 2024, reflecting robust external demand. Highlighting emerging markets, Anwar pointed to rapid growth in nations such as Kyrgyzstan, Yemen, Tanzania, Togo, Uzbekistan, Angola, Algeria, Nigeria, Puerto Rico, Kenya and Morocco. “These new markets present opportunities to expand trade in a more open and inclusive manner,” he said. During the session, Lee raised investor concerns over high costs and bureaucratic hurdles from utility providers such as Tenaga Nasional Berhad and Indah Water Konsortium, including charges on substation projects and contributions tied to investment value. In response, Anwar said the government would review these costs to ensure they remain reasonable, adding that utility providers act as facilitators rather than obstacles to foreign investment. “While our trade performance is encouraging, we must remain open to reducing service costs where necessary. This matter will receive special attention from the relevant ministry.”

Modi lauds contributions of M’sian Indians

New Kinabatangan MP sworn in KUALA LUMPUR: Newly elected