03/06/2025

TUESDAY | JUNE 3, 2025

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Stricter policies, rules to safeguard minors

Mara pulls plug on US studies

LONDON: Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) will cease sending sponsored students to the United States starting this year, following the introduction of new policies under President Donald Trump’s administration. Mara chairman Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said discussions have already begun to explore alternative destinations with students in pre-university programmes previously bound for the US. “We’ll redirect them to countries offering similar academic programmes, such as the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Australia, Japan and China. The alternatives are also more cost-effective.” He was speaking at a press conference during a working visit to the UK, where he is holding strategic meetings with senior academics and top management of the University of Cambridge. The meeting aimed to explore potential Mara-Cambridge collaborations to elevate the quality of education and strengthen the nation’s human capital development. Asyraf said Mara is also currently engaging with its 266 sponsored students in the US to facilitate their transfer to other countries offering similar fields of study. These include disciplines such as computer science, engineering and high-tech areas such as robotics and artificial intelligence (AI). “With the recent policy changes introduced by President Trump, we are taking a serious look at the potential impact on our students there, including rising living costs and academic disruptions.” International media previously reported that the Trump administration had issued a directive to halt the processing of all student visas and was considering vetting new applicants based on their social media activity. – Bernama Orang Asli preschools set to go digital GUA MUSANG: Orang Asli children will soon benefit from more modern educational facilities as efforts to digitalise preschool education will start next year, said the Department of Orang Asli Development (JAKOA) director-general Datuk Sapiah Mohd Nor. She said plans are underway to provide internet access to all kindergartens under the Community Development Department (Kemas) in Orang Asli settlements, including those in remote areas. There are currently 20 Kemas kindergartens in Kelantan and two in Terengganu in Orang Asli areas. Sapiah added that the initiative is part of the community’s human capital development strategy for the next five years. “Some kindergartens and educational institutions in Orang Asli and remote areas require special attention. InsyaAllah, under JAKOA, we will provide the necessary facilities,” she told reporters during the Mesra Rakyat programme in Kuala Wok. – Bernama

o Government reviewing laws to make it mandatory for parents, guardians to monitor digital activities of children and curb abuse: Minister

dynamic legal system.” Azalina also had a bilateral meeting with the Qatari Minister of Justice and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Ibrahim Ali Issa Al Hassan Al Mohannadi. She said the meeting opened a new chapter in strategic cooperation between Malaysia and Qatar in various aspects of legal reforms, including global best practices in the protection of human rights and the administration of justice. “I believe bilateral relations such as this not only strengthens diplomatic relations, but also broaden the horizon of the country’s institutional reform to the international level.” Azalina also received a courtesy visit from the head of division and senior counsellor of the Directorate of Public Governance, Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Dr Tatyana Teplova. She said the meeting marked the beginning of strategic cooperation between Malaysia and OECD, particularly in the aspects of strengthening the justice system, upholding the rule of law and improving the country’s digital governance. “I also expressed my desire for Malaysia to obtain the support of OECD expertise in implementing legal harmonisation with international standards, without disregarding local realities and the Madani government’s aspirations for sustainable institutional reform.”

PUTRAJAYA: The government is reviewing several existing legal provisions to introduce clearer and stronger obligations for parents and guardians in efforts to prevent abuse and sexual assault on children. Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said the move would include proposing amendments to make it mandatory for parents and guardians to monitor their children’s online activities, as well as participate actively in digital safety awareness and education programmes. “It reflects the principle of shared responsibility in safeguarding future generations from the growing threat of sexual crimes in the digital age,” she said in a statement yesterday, Bernama reported. Azalina said this during her keynote address, Creating a Safer Digital Future: Malaysia’s Legislative Approach to Online Child Protection, at the Tashkent Law Spring International Legal Forum 2025 in Uzbekistan, where she is on an official visit.

Azalina highlighted Malaysia’s legislative initiatives, aimed at strengthening online child protection laws and called on the international legal community to embrace a shared moral duty in addressing crimes against children. She emphasised the importance of ensuring that perpetrators of such offences are brought to justice without exception, underlining that protecting children in the digital space requires global cooperation and collective will. During the visit, Azalina also held a bilateral meeting with her counterpart, Uzbek Justice Minister Akbar Tashkulov, which resulted in an agreement to sign a new memorandum of understanding (MoU). “The MoU will be in effect for three years and covers important aspects such as the exchange of legal expertise, cooperation in the reform of justice institutions and strengthening the capacity of the judicial systems of both countries. “This move is significant in supporting efforts towards a more responsive and

TRISHAW TRAIL ... Visitors enjoy beca rides and soak in the vibrant atmosphere at the popular Armenian Street in George Town during the public holiday for the official birthday of His Majesty the King of Malaysia Sultan Ibrahim yesterday. – BERNAMAPIC

Attorney-General leads King’s honours list KUALA LUMPUR: Attorney-General Tan Sri Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar topped the list of 104 recipients for the 2025 federal awards, medals and honours in conjunction with the official birthday of His Majesty the King of Malaysia Sultan Ibrahim held at Istana Negara yesterday. and Deputy Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay. Sultanah Aminah Hospital Datuk Dr Simon Jerome Vendargon. The Johan Mangku Negara award was conferred on Education Service Commission secretary Md Radzi Hashim, the National Population and Family Development Board director-general Abdul Shukur

Mohd Hadzmir Yusoff and secretary of the Strategic Planning Division at the Higher Education Ministry Fazidah Mustafa. Malaysia’s Ambassador to China Datuk Norman Muhamad, Malaysia’s Ambassador to Indonesia Datuk Syed Md Hasrin Tengku Hussin and Dewan Rakyat secretary Dr Nizam Mydin Bacha Mydin received the Darjah Johan Setia Diraja honours. Meanwhile, National Paralympic badminton athlete and Malaysia’s first gold medallist at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, Cheah Liek Hou was among 14 recipients accorded the Kesatria Mangku Negara award.

(Student Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Prof Dr Mohd Sazili Shahibi and head of equity department, Investment Division at the Employees Provident Fund Lim Tze Seong. Four individuals received the Johan Setia Mahkota award – deputy director-general (Development) of the Public-Private Partnership Unit Chek Zainuddin Chek Jusoh, secretary of the Technology Transfer and Commercialisation Division at the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry Boniface Edwin Manung, deputy director-general (Business) of the Malaysian Highway Authority Affairs) at

Prime Minister’s Department senior deputy secretary-general Datuk Abd Shukor Mahmood and the Attorney General’s Chambers legal division head Datuk Donald Joseph Franklin were among five individuals awarded the Panglima Jasa Negara which carries the “Datuk” title. Others were Public Service deputy director-general (Development) Datuk Dr Mohd Bakhari Ismail, Treasury deputy secretary-general (Management) Datuk Ramzi Mansor and Cardiothoracic surgeon at

Abdullah and Digital Ministry’s deputy secretary-general (Digital Development), Ma. Sivanesan Marimuthu @ Muthiah. Others were deputy chief executive officer (Export Acceleration) of the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation Abu Bakar Yusof, deputy vice-chancellor

His Majesty bestowed the Darjah Panglima Mangku Negara award upon Mohd Dusuki, 58 which carries the “Tan Sri” title, reported Bernama. Other recipients were Chief of Defence Force General Tan Sri Mohd Nizam Jaffar, Chief Judge of Malaya Tan Sri Hasnah Mohammed Hashim, Navy Chief Tan Sri Zulhelmy Ithnain