24/02/2026

TUESDAY | FEB 24, 2026

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‘Learning matrix will not bring back school rankings’

Shah Alam LRT3 line on track: Loke THE LIGHT Rail Transit 3 (LRT3) Shah Alam line is on track to begin operations before June, Transport Minister Anthony Loke told the Dewan Negara yesterday. He said testing and commissioning work is being fast-tracked, with remaining technical issues expected to be resolved within the next one to two months. “To date, two train sets, involving 14 of the 22 trains, have completed fault-free run (FFR) testing, while another set of eight trains is still undergoing the 22-day FFR process. “There are still several technical issues which need to be resolved. After all FFR tests are completed, the next process will be testing and commissioning by the Land Public Transport Agency. Loke was responding to Senator Mohd Hasbie Muda, who sought assurance that the project’s revised completion timeline could be met following earlier delays. He added that Prasarana Malaysia Bhd is accelerating the remaining works and system checks to enable the line to open before June. Addressing a separate supplementary question from Senator Datuk Rosni Sohar, Loke dismissed claims that the delays were linked to the project’s previous cost rationalisation exercise. “What is happening now involves technical issues, not cost-cutting issues. The earlier cost reduction measures had already taken into account various factors, including the project implementation mechanism,” he said, adding that past cost-saving steps, such as reducing the number of stations, were unrelated to the current testing-phase challenges. Separately, during the Dewan Rakyat morning sitting, Loke said Rapid Rail Sdn Bhd would extend peak-hour rail services throughout Ramadan to better match shifting commuter patterns. He was responding to Bangi MP Syahredzan Johan, who asked whether Rapid Rail services would be adjusted during the fasting month following changes in passenger movement. Morning peak hours would now run from 6.30am to 9.30am, up from 7am to 9.30am, while evening peak hours would be lengthened to 4pm – 8pm, instead of the usual 5pm – 7.30pm. Loke said the move aims to ensure smoother operations and manage earlier return trips ahead of breaking fast. – By Faiz Ruzman RM6.2 billion in tax refunds for 2023 cases THE GOVERNMENT has refunded excess tax payments amounting to RM6.2 billion for year of assessment (YA) 2023 as of Feb 18 this year, hence settling 95,282 cases, said Finance Deputy Minister Liew Chin Tong. He said while the government has pledged to settle the YA 2023 cases by end of the first quarter of 2026, it is confident this could be completed earlier. “Meanwhile, refunds for excess tax payments for YA 2024 are targeted to be completed before the end of this year. “At the same time, refunds, regardless of the age of the cases, will continue to be made to all non-company taxpayers, especially individual taxpayers.” Liew was responding to a question from Senator Datuk Koh Nai Kwong seeking the government’s assurance that delays in the processing and refund of excess taxes by the Inland Revenue Board would not recur, thus avoiding the need for ad hoc allocations. Liew said excess tax refunds made in 2025 were the highest in five years at RM22.45 billion. He said based on refunds from 2023 to 2025, the Madani government has paid out RM56 billion in refunds, 50% higher than the RM37 billion refunded between 2020 and 2022. – Bernama

o System to help identify mastery levels for early support, says Fadhlina

Ű BY FAIZ RUZMAN newsdesk@thesundaily.com

PETALING JAYA: Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said the Malaysia Learning Matrix system for Year Four and Form Three students will not bring back school ranking practices that could place undue pressure on students and teachers. At yesterday’s Dewan Negara sitting, she emphasised that the ministry’s focus is on assessment integrity and targeted intervention, in line with the School-Based Assessment domain under the National Education Assessment System. “The implementation of the learning matrix is not intended to create school rankings or unhealthy competition, but to help identify students’ mastery levels for early support and intervention.” She was responding to a supplementary question from Senator Che Alias Hamid, who sought government assurance that the new system would not be misused. Fadhlina said the assessment outcomes would be used to strengthen students’ literacy, numeracy and scientific skills while ensuring a more holistic evaluation approach. To maintain consistency, the Year Four learning matrix would be centrally administered by the Examinations Board, which would prepare assessment instruments, scoring guidelines and result slips. Teachers would not be required to develop test instruments for the system or end-of-academic

Fadhlina said the assessment outcomes would be used to strengthen students’ literacy, numeracy and scientific skills while ensuring a more holistic evaluation approach. – BERNAMAPIC

assessment to ensure it truly measures students’ mastery and does not become a tool that creates stigma or pressure.”

session assessments. “After the assessment process is completed, the result slip will be issued by the Examinations Board, while schools will print and distribute the slips to pupils. “The assessment papers will also be returned to pupils after recording is completed for intervention purposes.”

AT THE DEWAN NEGARA

participation. Replying to a supplementary question from Senator Dr Wan Martina Wan Yusof, Khairul Firdaus admitted several challenges, including enforcing the 6% minimum wage adjustment, weak training compliance among smaller employers and limited awareness of available online training platforms. PWP was piloted from June to August 2024 with RM50 million in funding before moving into full implementation. Under Budget 2025, the programme is allocated RM300 million and is projected to benefit more than 50,000 workers by 2027. – By Faiz Ruzman training and business start-up kits. “In efforts to address education dropouts, the government also provides the Education Incentive Assistance Scheme, which covers school uniforms, hostel necessities, transport as well as pocket-money incentives. “For early childhood education, kindergarten facilities have been built and upgraded, benefiting 4,596 pupils in interior areas.” She added that her ministry provides protection services and social intervention, including case management, counselling and referrals to relevant agencies to ensure that the rights and welfare of women and children, including those affected after divorce, are continuously protected. – Bernama The Year Four matrix will cover core subjects: Bahasa Malaysia, English, Science and Mathematics, while pupils in national-type schools (SJKC and SJKT) would also be assessed in their respective mother-tongue languages. The Year Four learning matrix is scheduled for implementation from October this year, with the Form Three rollout set for 2027, in line with the National Education Blueprint 2026-2035.

She added that the system would also help teachers and schools design focused remedial programmes without compromising the prescribed syllabus. “We are safeguarding the integrity of the

Over 51,000 see pay rise under new wage policy MORE THAN 51,000 workers have seen their pay rise under the Progressive Wage Policy (PWP), Parliament was told yesterday.

workers’ earnings. “As of Dec 31, 2025 the policy has lifted the median wage, particularly among entry-level workers with 12 months’ service, whose pay increased by RM300, from RM1,900 to RM2,200 – a 16% rise. “For employees with more than 12 months’ service, the median wage rose by about RM238.85 to RM2,999.15, or (approximately) 11%, indicating the government’s approach is encouraging employers while boosting workers’ motivation and productivity.” He was responding to Senator Datuk Abdul Halim Suleiman, who sought an update on the policy’s effectiveness and private sector

Human Resources Deputy Minister Datuk Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan said 5,910 employers applied for the scheme, with 4,925, or 83.4%, already implementing wage increases under the policy’s incentive framework. “The wholesale and retail trade sector, including motor vehicle and motorcycle repair, accounted for the largest share of incentive claims at 26.7%, followed by manufacturing at 15.7%, professional, scientific and technical activities at 11.1% and education at 7.4%.” Khairul Firdaus highlighted the impact on

RM15.4 million assistance channelled to Orang Asli community RM15.4 MILLION was channelled to 2,905 members of the Orang Asli community last year to help them sustain their livelihoods, including women affected by divorce. Women, Family and Community single mothers and families going through divorce, understand their rights, become self-reliant and ultimately secure financial resources to generate income.”

She was responding to a question from Senator Manolan Mohamad on the measures taken by the ministry to safeguard the welfare of Orang Asli women and children, particularly from issues such as poverty, school dropouts and neglect following divorce, during the oral question-and-answer session at the Dewan Negara yesterday. Nancy said for Orang Asli women entrepreneurs, the ministry has also introduced the Orang Asli Entrepreneur Support programme, offering capacity-building assistance of up to RM15,000, including skills

Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said the temporary assistance was distributed by the Social Welfare Department through the Department of Orang Asli Development, covering various schemes including general assistance, child assistance, senior citizen assistance, as well as aid for persons with disabilities (PWD). “The ministry, through the Department for Women Development, also implements the Legal Literacy and Women’s Rights and the KasihnITa initiatives to help women, including