Wednesday June 11, 2008
PTPTN loan rule relaxed
The Government will not enforce the minimum savings requirement that was previously compulsory for anyone applying for the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) loan.
Previously, parents needed a National Education Savings Scheme (SSPN) account in order to qualify for the loan.
“To ease the burden on students wanting to obtain a study loan, the Government has decided that the ruling on compulsory savings would not be enforced this year.
“Those wanting to take a loan need only have a minimum of RM20 in their SSPN account to apply for the loan,” said Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin in a statement yesterday.
June 12, 2008
Apply online for education diploma course
Wednesday June 11, 2008
Apply online for education diploma course
Candidates interested in applying for the January 2009 intake of the diploma in education must do so online.
They can do so by logging onto the Higher Education Ministry’s website at http://www.mohe.gov.my.
The ministry’s Student Entry Management Division will publish information on the Malaysian Educators Selection Inventory (MEdSI) test and interviews in local newspapers.
According to a statement from the ministry, candidates who have applied to sit for the test should check their status at the website from Sunday.
Apply online for education diploma course
Candidates interested in applying for the January 2009 intake of the diploma in education must do so online.
They can do so by logging onto the Higher Education Ministry’s website at http://www.mohe.gov.my.
The ministry’s Student Entry Management Division will publish information on the Malaysian Educators Selection Inventory (MEdSI) test and interviews in local newspapers.
According to a statement from the ministry, candidates who have applied to sit for the test should check their status at the website from Sunday.
Cycle to Beijing for Olympics
Thursday June 12, 2008
Granddad to cycle to Beijing for Olympics
BUTTERWORTH: Anxious to catch the Beijing Olympics 2008 opening on Aug 8, grandfather David Munusamy Reddie has embarked on a 4,400km-long solo bicycle tour to China.
The 56-year-old, who took up cycling after a heart bypass in 2003, left his Taman Minamah, Nibong Tebal, house at 9am on Tuesday.
Going on a shoestring budget of RM50 a day, David estimated that it would him take 65 days to reach Beijing after boarding a train in Padang Besar to Bangkok.
From there, he would cycle another 20 days through Laos to get to the border town of Mengla in China.
High road to China: Reddie hopes to reach Beijing in 65 days.
"From Mengla, I will cycle for about 3,000km to Beijing. I hope to complete this stretch in 45 days," he said.
"I am excited about this," he said before starting his journey.
David said he would cycle an average of about 100km daily and take a one-day break for every three days on the road.
"On each of my off days, I will do some sightseeing," he said.
Apart from a spare tyre and three tubes, David has taken along with him a set of tools, pillow and blanket, sleeping bag, medication, camera, map, torchlight, speedometer and some clothes.
Those who want to keep track of his journey can log on to his website, www.bicycletouringmalaysia.com or follow the journey through his blog at http://cyclinginchina.blogspot.com/.
Granddad to cycle to Beijing for Olympics
BUTTERWORTH: Anxious to catch the Beijing Olympics 2008 opening on Aug 8, grandfather David Munusamy Reddie has embarked on a 4,400km-long solo bicycle tour to China.
The 56-year-old, who took up cycling after a heart bypass in 2003, left his Taman Minamah, Nibong Tebal, house at 9am on Tuesday.
Going on a shoestring budget of RM50 a day, David estimated that it would him take 65 days to reach Beijing after boarding a train in Padang Besar to Bangkok.
From there, he would cycle another 20 days through Laos to get to the border town of Mengla in China.
High road to China: Reddie hopes to reach Beijing in 65 days.
"From Mengla, I will cycle for about 3,000km to Beijing. I hope to complete this stretch in 45 days," he said.
"I am excited about this," he said before starting his journey.
David said he would cycle an average of about 100km daily and take a one-day break for every three days on the road.
"On each of my off days, I will do some sightseeing," he said.
Apart from a spare tyre and three tubes, David has taken along with him a set of tools, pillow and blanket, sleeping bag, medication, camera, map, torchlight, speedometer and some clothes.
Those who want to keep track of his journey can log on to his website, www.bicycletouringmalaysia.com or follow the journey through his blog at http://cyclinginchina.blogspot.com/.
Give Indians more allocation
Wednesday June 11, 2008
S
Give Indians more allocation
EIGHT per cent of places in local universities should be allocated to Indians, MIC President Datuk Seri S.Samy Vellu was quoted as saying in Tamil Nesan.
He said that in 2002, only 2.3% were allocated to the Indian community and since then the number had varied with 5.2% in 2003, 5.9% in 2004, 5.6 % in 2005 and 6.1% in 2006.
He said that the number of Indian students who had obtained outstanding results in their examinations had risen over the years.
He was speaking to reporters after meeting the Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin at his office in Putrajaya yesterday.
At least 40% of jobs in the civil service should also be set aside for the Indians and Chinese over the next five years, the daily also reported.
Sungkai state assemblyman and state executive councillor for health, environmental and family development A. Sivanesan made this statement after attending the state DAP meeting, in Lumut yesterday
S
Give Indians more allocation
EIGHT per cent of places in local universities should be allocated to Indians, MIC President Datuk Seri S.Samy Vellu was quoted as saying in Tamil Nesan.
He said that in 2002, only 2.3% were allocated to the Indian community and since then the number had varied with 5.2% in 2003, 5.9% in 2004, 5.6 % in 2005 and 6.1% in 2006.
He said that the number of Indian students who had obtained outstanding results in their examinations had risen over the years.
He was speaking to reporters after meeting the Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin at his office in Putrajaya yesterday.
At least 40% of jobs in the civil service should also be set aside for the Indians and Chinese over the next five years, the daily also reported.
Sungkai state assemblyman and state executive councillor for health, environmental and family development A. Sivanesan made this statement after attending the state DAP meeting, in Lumut yesterday
June 10, 2008
Sports school among ‘cluster’
Tuesday June 10, 2008
Sports school among ‘cluster’
The Education Ministry has named the second batch of 30 cluster schools to be given additional funding and greater autonomy to improve performance.
Among them are Sekolah Datuk Abdul Razak in Seremban, SMK (L) Methodist in Kuala Lumpur, SJKC Lick Hung in Subang Jaya, SMJK Ave Maria Convent in Ipoh and the Bukit Jalil Sports School in Kuala Lumpur.
“This brings the cluster of excellent schools to 60. By 2010, we hope to have 300 such schools,” said Education Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein here yesterday.
The schools can apply for funding of up to RM500,000 to carry out various projects. They must also identify niche areas (curriculum and non-curriculum) that they want to focus on.
Hishammuddin also received a report from the Clusters of Excellence Advisory Board containing 75 recommendations to make the cluster schools a success.
Among the proposals forwarded were school-based assessment, including the abolition of the Ujian Pencapaian Sekolah Rendah (UPSR) and Penilaian Menengah Rendah (PMR), laptops for all schoolchildren, single-session schools and smaller class sizes.
“We will study the recommendations and decide which can be adopted,” Hishammuddin said, adding that some of them had far-reaching consequences and would require changes to current rules and regulations.
He added that the ministry would make the report public to gather feedback on the recommendations from all stakeholders such as teachers and parents.
Hishammuddin also said that cluster school heads had been sent for courses at King’s College London in Britain, Monash University in Australia, Waikato University in New Zealand and Institut Aminuddin Baki in Genting Highlands to improve their leadership and management skills.
Commenting on the proposal by schoolbus operators to raise fares by up to RM50 following the reduction in fuel subsidy, Hishammuddin described the amount as “excessive”.
“I call on everyone not to take advantage of the situation and make schoolchildren victims of the current situation.”
Sports school among ‘cluster’
The Education Ministry has named the second batch of 30 cluster schools to be given additional funding and greater autonomy to improve performance.
Among them are Sekolah Datuk Abdul Razak in Seremban, SMK (L) Methodist in Kuala Lumpur, SJKC Lick Hung in Subang Jaya, SMJK Ave Maria Convent in Ipoh and the Bukit Jalil Sports School in Kuala Lumpur.
“This brings the cluster of excellent schools to 60. By 2010, we hope to have 300 such schools,” said Education Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein here yesterday.
The schools can apply for funding of up to RM500,000 to carry out various projects. They must also identify niche areas (curriculum and non-curriculum) that they want to focus on.
Hishammuddin also received a report from the Clusters of Excellence Advisory Board containing 75 recommendations to make the cluster schools a success.
Among the proposals forwarded were school-based assessment, including the abolition of the Ujian Pencapaian Sekolah Rendah (UPSR) and Penilaian Menengah Rendah (PMR), laptops for all schoolchildren, single-session schools and smaller class sizes.
“We will study the recommendations and decide which can be adopted,” Hishammuddin said, adding that some of them had far-reaching consequences and would require changes to current rules and regulations.
He added that the ministry would make the report public to gather feedback on the recommendations from all stakeholders such as teachers and parents.
Hishammuddin also said that cluster school heads had been sent for courses at King’s College London in Britain, Monash University in Australia, Waikato University in New Zealand and Institut Aminuddin Baki in Genting Highlands to improve their leadership and management skills.
Commenting on the proposal by schoolbus operators to raise fares by up to RM50 following the reduction in fuel subsidy, Hishammuddin described the amount as “excessive”.
“I call on everyone not to take advantage of the situation and make schoolchildren victims of the current situation.”
Rating system for IPTS
Tuesday June 10, 2008
Rating system for IPTS
A rating system for private institutions of higher learning (IPTS) will be in place once all them have been audited.
Deputy Higher Education Minister Dr Hou Kok Chung said the ministry had started an “establishment audit” since last month of 200 IPTS, including 37 private universities and university colleges.
This, he said, was to ensure that their courses were of quality and followed various regulations.
Educational briefing: Dr Hou holding discussions with Malaysian Qualifications Agency chief executive officer Datuk Syed Ahmad Hussein during the meeting with the IPTS in Kota Kinabalu.
He added that the exercise would see 120 institutions undergoing a full audit with officers going on the ground to check various facilities, while the remaining 80 would have to submit their details to the ministry.
“We will be looking at their staff, courses, student intake, examination process, management and financial capability among others,” Dr Hou told reporters yesterday after a meeting with senior executives of IPTS here.
This is the deputy minister's first meeting with senior executives of such institutions. The next will be in Penang on June 16.
According to Dr Hou, there were no immediate plans to give star ratings to IPTS as was being done for public universities under the Setara system, but it was the ministry's eventual goal to work along similar lines.
“This audit will help them improve their quality,” he said.
For instance, he pointed out, one area the ministry was focusing on was student intake as there had been complaints that IPTS had admitted students not qualified for certain courses.
To a question of students in rural areas of Sabah being cheated by some colleges, Dr Hou said the ministry would always check on advertisements by IPTS and act against those making dubious claims.
However, he urged parents to check the ministry’s websites for accredited colleges to avoid being cheated.
There are more than 500 IPTS in the country.
Rating system for IPTS
A rating system for private institutions of higher learning (IPTS) will be in place once all them have been audited.
Deputy Higher Education Minister Dr Hou Kok Chung said the ministry had started an “establishment audit” since last month of 200 IPTS, including 37 private universities and university colleges.
This, he said, was to ensure that their courses were of quality and followed various regulations.
Educational briefing: Dr Hou holding discussions with Malaysian Qualifications Agency chief executive officer Datuk Syed Ahmad Hussein during the meeting with the IPTS in Kota Kinabalu.
He added that the exercise would see 120 institutions undergoing a full audit with officers going on the ground to check various facilities, while the remaining 80 would have to submit their details to the ministry.
“We will be looking at their staff, courses, student intake, examination process, management and financial capability among others,” Dr Hou told reporters yesterday after a meeting with senior executives of IPTS here.
This is the deputy minister's first meeting with senior executives of such institutions. The next will be in Penang on June 16.
According to Dr Hou, there were no immediate plans to give star ratings to IPTS as was being done for public universities under the Setara system, but it was the ministry's eventual goal to work along similar lines.
“This audit will help them improve their quality,” he said.
For instance, he pointed out, one area the ministry was focusing on was student intake as there had been complaints that IPTS had admitted students not qualified for certain courses.
To a question of students in rural areas of Sabah being cheated by some colleges, Dr Hou said the ministry would always check on advertisements by IPTS and act against those making dubious claims.
However, he urged parents to check the ministry’s websites for accredited colleges to avoid being cheated.
There are more than 500 IPTS in the country.
Umno Youth to woo 4 million young voters
Tuesday June 10, 2008
Umno Youth to woo 4 million young voters
Umno Youth launched an Action Plan and the Umno Rejuvenation Secretariat Working Frame to form strategies to reach out to the young people so that they will support Umno in the next general election.
The action plan targets about four million young voters below the age of 40 who make up a large part of non-Umno supporters.
“The Umno Rejuvenation Secretariat will approach the young people who comprise Malay professionals, university student associations, non-governmental organisations, youth associations and entrepreneur associations in the country,” said Umno Youth Education Bureau deputy chairman Harrison Hassan, after chairing its first meeting here yesterday.
After the meeting, he launched the Action Plan and the Working Frame.
He also said that Umno Youth had to accept the fact that conventional approaches no longer worked with today’s youth, who had “drifted away” from Umno during the recent general election.
Meanwhile, the MCA Youth expressed its support for the setting up of the six special secretariats by Umno Youth.
Its chief Datuk Liow Tiong Lai said he was confident that with the main secretariat headed by Umno Youth chief Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, it would be able to monitor and respond to the issues that crop up relating to the youth, society and the country
Umno Youth to woo 4 million young voters
Umno Youth launched an Action Plan and the Umno Rejuvenation Secretariat Working Frame to form strategies to reach out to the young people so that they will support Umno in the next general election.
The action plan targets about four million young voters below the age of 40 who make up a large part of non-Umno supporters.
“The Umno Rejuvenation Secretariat will approach the young people who comprise Malay professionals, university student associations, non-governmental organisations, youth associations and entrepreneur associations in the country,” said Umno Youth Education Bureau deputy chairman Harrison Hassan, after chairing its first meeting here yesterday.
After the meeting, he launched the Action Plan and the Working Frame.
He also said that Umno Youth had to accept the fact that conventional approaches no longer worked with today’s youth, who had “drifted away” from Umno during the recent general election.
Meanwhile, the MCA Youth expressed its support for the setting up of the six special secretariats by Umno Youth.
Its chief Datuk Liow Tiong Lai said he was confident that with the main secretariat headed by Umno Youth chief Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, it would be able to monitor and respond to the issues that crop up relating to the youth, society and the country
Members of the National Inflation Council
Tuesday June 10, 2008
PM announces council line-up
The Government announced the members of the National Inflation Council yesterday.
The council is chaired by Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak as deputy chairman.
The members are Second Finance Minister Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Tan Sri Amirsham A. Aziz and Transport Minister Datuk Ong Tee Keat.
Other members are Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Ong Ka Chuan, Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Shahrir Abdul Samad, Agriculture and Agro-based Industries Minister Datuk Mustapa Mohamed, and International Trade and Industry Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
Also included are Bank Negara governor Tan Sri Zeti Akhtar Aziz, Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Sidek Hassan, Economic Planning Unit director-general Tan Sri Sulaiman Mahbob, and Treasury secretary-general Tan Sri Dr Wan Abdul Aziz Wan Abdullah.
Members from the private sector are social activist Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye, MTUC secretary-general G. Rajasekaran, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia vice-chancellor Datuk Dr Sharifah Hapsah Syed Hasan Shahabudin, Bank Rakyat chairman Tan Sri Dr Syed Jalaludin Syed Salim.
Also members are Etiqa Insurance Bhd chairman Tan Sri Mega Zaharuddin Megat Mohd Nor, former deputy Bank Negara governor Tan Sri Lin See Yan, Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers Tan Sri Yong Poh Kon, and economist Datuk Zainal Aznam Yusoff.
Bank Negara directors Datuk Oh Siew Nam, National Farmers’ Association representative Datuk Zainal Dahalan, and Bernama chairman Datuk Seri Mohd Annuar Zaini are also members.
Malaysian Employers Federation president Datuk Azman Shah Harun, Pan-Malaysia Bus Operators Association president Datuk Ashfar Ali, Cuepacs president Omar Osman and Federation of Malaysian Consumer Associations representative Yusof Abdul Rahman are also members of the council.
Yesterday, Abdullah also announced the formation of three committees – the first to look into more efficient use of energy resources, the second to enhance public bus service and the third to improve dissemination of information to the media.
PM announces council line-up
The Government announced the members of the National Inflation Council yesterday.
The council is chaired by Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak as deputy chairman.
The members are Second Finance Minister Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Tan Sri Amirsham A. Aziz and Transport Minister Datuk Ong Tee Keat.
Other members are Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Ong Ka Chuan, Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Shahrir Abdul Samad, Agriculture and Agro-based Industries Minister Datuk Mustapa Mohamed, and International Trade and Industry Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
Also included are Bank Negara governor Tan Sri Zeti Akhtar Aziz, Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Sidek Hassan, Economic Planning Unit director-general Tan Sri Sulaiman Mahbob, and Treasury secretary-general Tan Sri Dr Wan Abdul Aziz Wan Abdullah.
Members from the private sector are social activist Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye, MTUC secretary-general G. Rajasekaran, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia vice-chancellor Datuk Dr Sharifah Hapsah Syed Hasan Shahabudin, Bank Rakyat chairman Tan Sri Dr Syed Jalaludin Syed Salim.
Also members are Etiqa Insurance Bhd chairman Tan Sri Mega Zaharuddin Megat Mohd Nor, former deputy Bank Negara governor Tan Sri Lin See Yan, Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers Tan Sri Yong Poh Kon, and economist Datuk Zainal Aznam Yusoff.
Bank Negara directors Datuk Oh Siew Nam, National Farmers’ Association representative Datuk Zainal Dahalan, and Bernama chairman Datuk Seri Mohd Annuar Zaini are also members.
Malaysian Employers Federation president Datuk Azman Shah Harun, Pan-Malaysia Bus Operators Association president Datuk Ashfar Ali, Cuepacs president Omar Osman and Federation of Malaysian Consumer Associations representative Yusof Abdul Rahman are also members of the council.
Yesterday, Abdullah also announced the formation of three committees – the first to look into more efficient use of energy resources, the second to enhance public bus service and the third to improve dissemination of information to the media.
Court to decide on Syed Akhbar sedition charge
Tuesday June 10, 2008 MYT 9:34:35 PM
Court to decide on Syed Akhbar sedition charge
A Sessions Court here has set July 4 to hear submissions to determine if the charge against businessman Syed Akbar Ali for allegedly posting a seditious comment on a news portal is defective.
Former banker and writer Syed Akbar, 48, pleaded not guilty to posting the comment in Malaysia Today editor Raja Petra Raja Kamarudin’s article titled Malaysia’s organised crime syndicate: all roads lead to Putrajaya. The offence was allegedly committed at 2.59pm on June 5 last year at Zeenath Begum Jewellers Sdn Bhd in Jalan Masjid India.
On Tuesday, lawyer Ashok Kandiah told the court he was ready to hand over a copy of his written submission to the prosecution. DPP Ishak Yusof said he would need time to reply to the written submissions.
Judge Rozana Ali Yusoff ordered the prosecutor to put in his reply to the court before the hearing on the preliminary objections.
Lawyer Malik Imtiaz Sarwar and counsel Haris Ibrahim also appeared for the accused.
Court to decide on Syed Akhbar sedition charge
A Sessions Court here has set July 4 to hear submissions to determine if the charge against businessman Syed Akbar Ali for allegedly posting a seditious comment on a news portal is defective.
Former banker and writer Syed Akbar, 48, pleaded not guilty to posting the comment in Malaysia Today editor Raja Petra Raja Kamarudin’s article titled Malaysia’s organised crime syndicate: all roads lead to Putrajaya. The offence was allegedly committed at 2.59pm on June 5 last year at Zeenath Begum Jewellers Sdn Bhd in Jalan Masjid India.
On Tuesday, lawyer Ashok Kandiah told the court he was ready to hand over a copy of his written submission to the prosecution. DPP Ishak Yusof said he would need time to reply to the written submissions.
Judge Rozana Ali Yusoff ordered the prosecutor to put in his reply to the court before the hearing on the preliminary objections.
Lawyer Malik Imtiaz Sarwar and counsel Haris Ibrahim also appeared for the accused.
Higher education loan no longer tied to savings account
Tuesday June 10, 2008
Higher education loan no longer tied to savings account
PETALING JAYA: The Government will not enforce the minimum savings requirement that was previously compulsory for anyone wanting to obtain a loan from the National Higher Education Fund Corporation.
Previously, parents needed to open a National Education Savings Scheme (SSPN) account in order to qualify for the loan.
“To ease the burden on students wanting to obtain a study loan, the Government has decided that the ruling on compulsory savings would not be enforced this year.
“Those wanting to take a loan need only have a minimum of RM20 in their SSPN account to apply for the loan,” Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said in a statement Tuesday.
Under the minimum savings ruling enforced on Jan 1 this year, parents with a monthly household income of less than RM2,000 must have deposited at least RM500 in their SSPN account to qualify for a loan.
Parents who earn more than RM2,000 monthly must have saved up at least RM3,000.
The SSPN was established in 2004 and was aimed at encouraging parents to save for their children’s education.
The main advantage of the SSPN was that the Government provided a matching grant of up to RM10,000 for parents who earned less than RM2,000 monthly.
Other benefits of the SSPN, which is administered by the corporation, included yearly dividends that were tax-exempt.
Higher education loan no longer tied to savings account
PETALING JAYA: The Government will not enforce the minimum savings requirement that was previously compulsory for anyone wanting to obtain a loan from the National Higher Education Fund Corporation.
Previously, parents needed to open a National Education Savings Scheme (SSPN) account in order to qualify for the loan.
“To ease the burden on students wanting to obtain a study loan, the Government has decided that the ruling on compulsory savings would not be enforced this year.
“Those wanting to take a loan need only have a minimum of RM20 in their SSPN account to apply for the loan,” Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said in a statement Tuesday.
Under the minimum savings ruling enforced on Jan 1 this year, parents with a monthly household income of less than RM2,000 must have deposited at least RM500 in their SSPN account to qualify for a loan.
Parents who earn more than RM2,000 monthly must have saved up at least RM3,000.
The SSPN was established in 2004 and was aimed at encouraging parents to save for their children’s education.
The main advantage of the SSPN was that the Government provided a matching grant of up to RM10,000 for parents who earned less than RM2,000 monthly.
Other benefits of the SSPN, which is administered by the corporation, included yearly dividends that were tax-exempt.
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