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KUCHING (Sept 1): Parents must attempt to register their undocumented children with the National Registration Department (JPN) to enable them to go to school, said Ba Kelalan assemblyman Baru Bian.
He said there were reports of five children in his constituency who had recently been stopped from attending school because they were stateless.
Upon inquiry with the Education Department, he was informed of guidelines for heads of schools to refer to in considering places for undocumented children.
“Having looked at the guidelines, they are fair in that if the parents can show that they are attempting to obtain papers for their children, these children will be provided with schooling.
“All that is needed is some document from the National Registration Department to show that an attempt has been made,” he said in a statement today.
Baru said updates found two of the five children are now in school.
“The other three are not able to do so. One of them is an adopted child.
“I understand that the headmistress of the school went personally to the kampungs to talk to the parents but to no avail because they had not made any attempts to get adoption papers or birth certificates for their children,” he explained.
The Selangau MP urged parents of children without documentation to be more proactive and go to the nearest JPN office immediately to submit their applications for birth certificates or adoption papers.
He said it is their responsibility to do everything they can to ensure that their children are able to get an education.
He pointed out that being able to read and write is crucial for every child and a basic human right for every citizen.
Baru stressed to be deprived of an education because of the inaction of their parents is unfair to the children.
“I would like to commend the Education Ministry for showing compassion and giving an achievable requirement for parents to be able to enrol their children in school.
“The guidelines from the Education Department for undocumented children is attached for the information of all parents,” added the Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) secretary-general.
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In this file photo taken on Oct 1, 2021, a student holds a Chinese and Hong Kong flag during a flag-raising ceremony to mark China’s National Day at a school in the Tung Chung district of Hong Kong. — AFP photo
HONG KONG (Sept 1): As Hong Kong students return for the new academic year, veteran teacher Wong is counting down the days until the political maelstrom sweeping the city leaves him no choice but to quit.
Wong, 34, fears he will soon join the exodus of teachers and students triggered by Beijing’s tightening grip on Hong Kong, which has started transforming local schools, according to multiple educators.
The latest government figures show more than 4,000 teachers left their jobs in the past school year, a five-year high and a 70 per cent spike from the year before.
“I have no faith in the future of Hong Kong or that of the industry. It is hard to nurture a person in this environment,” Wong, who asked to use just his surname, told AFP.
The political crackdown has coincided with the coronavirus pandemic, during which Hong Kong has kept strict zero-Covid rules that have fuelled further departures.
Students have pulled out of school in droves, with 30,000 fewer attending primary and secondary school in September 2021 compared to the preceding October.
Wong, who has taught for more than a decade, said five teenagers from his class of 32 withdrew halfway through a term to emigrate.
“The students are leaving not because they dislike the school, but because of Hong Kong’s environment.”
– Patriotic classrooms –
China is remoulding once outspoken Hong Kong in its own authoritarian image, following massive and sometimes violent democracy protests in 2019 in which youngsters played a key part.
Teachers have since been ordered to instil patriotism in students and comply with a Beijing-imposed national security law that has criminalised much dissent.
Curriculums are being tweaked to align more closely with Chinese Communist Party ideology.
Earlier this month teachers were told to “study and learn the key messages” of a recent speech by President Xi Jinping.
Students and parents have also been encouraged to report teachers who might be breaching the security law.
Wong received a letter of reprimand from Hong Kong’s Education Bureau last year after his teaching materials analysing the pros and cons of civil disobedience drew anonymous complaints.
“It shattered the trust that was fundamental to teaching,” he recalled.
Between 2019 and 2021, Hong Kong authorities received 344 complaints against teachers in relation to the democracy protests, with 55 per cent of cases found to be substantiated.
One high-school principal told AFP he would instruct staff to keep their heads down and comply with government guidelines to the letter.
“Everyone is being very careful… If some (teaching materials) may touch on political sensitivities, then we’ll skirt around it,” said the principal, who requested anonymity.
“Nobody wants trouble and the teachers don’t want to be held personally responsible.”
– Lower standards? –
Authorities have rejected the idea of an emigration wave and argue teachers choose to leave their posts for various reasons, including retirement and further study.
Hong Kong’s education chief said schools were generally operating smoothly and there were enough qualified teachers despite a “slightly higher” attrition rate.
But a recent survey of 140 schools showed each institution on average lost 32 students and seven teachers over the past year.
Newspaper Ming Pao surveyed its classified section and found at least 200 schools were still looking for teachers in late July. In previous years most vacancies would be filled by the end of May.
Administrators say some schools have been forced to hire less-qualified candidates.
Schools are also competing to poach students, as their headcount often determines their government subsidies and protects against closure.
And education is not the only sector affected by brain drain.
The city’s labour force has dropped about six per cent since 2018 to 3.75 million people, according to the latest official figures, the lowest number in nearly a decade.
A new generation of Hong Kong teachers are now weighing options and assessing risks that come with their careers.
University graduate Mak, 23, has spent a year teaching English at a secondary school even though he does not have a teacher’s diploma — a fact his employer did not seem to mind.
“I’ll continue teaching for the next few years, but not necessarily in the long term,” he said.
Mak feels he has little control over what happens to his profession.
“There’s not much that can be changed,” he sighed. “You either submit, or quit.” — AFP
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Rafizi (centre) speaks to reporters after chairing his second meeting with the newly appointed Johor PKR state leadership council at the party’s state office in Skudai. — Malay Mail photo
JOHOR BAHRU (Sept 1): PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli called on politicians to refrain from pressuring and interfering with the civil service, especially enforcement agencies and the judiciary, over the littoral combat ship (LCS) scandal.
He said this was to avoid a negative public perception and to also uphold the good image of the judiciary, the police and enforcement agencies so that they can investigate the case freely.
“Personally, I don’t have a problem if the police want to probe me as I have been investigated hundreds of times in the past. To me, this is a normal process.
“To me, the public knows what is going on as they can read the details from the declassified forensic audit report released by Boustead Heavy Industries Corp Bhd (BHIC),” said Rafizi to reporters early this morning after chairing his second meeting with the newly appointed Johor PKR state leadership council at the party’s state office in Pusat Perdagangan Danga Utama in Skudai here.
The meeting started at 9.45pm yesterday and ended around midnight.
Rafizi was responding to questions on his reaction to being called up by the police to give his statement following his accusation linking Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Special Functions) Datuk Dr Abdul Latiff Ahmad to alleged financial misconduct in relation to the RM9 billion LCS procurement.
He had earlier asked the police to launch an investigation into the scandal but was met with a counter-complaint filed by an aide of Dr Abdul Latiff, who is also the Mersing MP, yesterday for alleged defamation.
Rafizi then expressed his concern that this could mean the police might not record Dr Abdul Latiff’s statement or even investigate him in relation to his earlier police report.
He said that if that were to happen, it might give the public the perception that this was because the police are under the Home Ministry whose minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin is in the same party Dr Abdul Latiff.
“I know Bersatu is in panic mode because one of their ministers was linked to the LCS scandal,” he said.
Rafizi said action should be taken as even Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan and PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang had their statements recorded by police recently.
“During the course of the police taking my statement, I hope that the same action will be accorded to Dr Abdul Latiff at a police station.
“Only then, it is fair. The public will also have confidence in those investigating the issue,” he said, adding that the information he had shared was in the forensic audit report and are considered government documents.
Despite the counter-report made against him, Rafizi said he believes a thorough police investigation should be conducted on all parties over the LCS scandal.
He said police investigations are a step in the right direction and that he hopes the authorities do not selectively target him. — Malay Mail
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Police confirmed the sports commentator received threats via Instagram on Aug 27, 2022. — Malay Mail photo
SHAH ALAM (Sept 1): Police confirmed to have received a report from a sports commentator at a private television station regarding threats received from an individual on social media.
Shah Alam police chief ACP Mohd Iqbal Ibrahim said the report was made at 1am yesterday and is believed to be related to the man’s comment on a show.
He said the case was investigated under Section 507 of the Penal Code, Section 14 of the Minor Offences Act 1955 and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.
“The sports commentator received threats via Instagram on Aug 27, 2022, and lodged a report over the matter.
“Based on preliminary investigations by the police, the complainant touched on the poor form of national badminton player Lee Zhi Jia on the programme ‘Nindia Pak Long’, and suspects that this may have caused dissatisfaction among certain parties,” he said in a statement last night.
He added that any information related to the case could be channelled to Investigating Officer Insp Hadi at 016-2745515. — Bernama
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Judge Mohamed Zaini Mazlan is expected to deliver the judgment at 9am on whether the wife of former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak will be acquitted or found guilty on all three charges. — Bernama photo
KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 1): All eyes will be on the High Court here today as it is scheduled to give the verdict on the case involving Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor who is facing three corruption charges involving a RM1.25 billion hybrid solar project for 369 rural schools in Sarawak.
Judge Mohamed Zaini Mazlan is expected to deliver the judgment at 9am on whether the wife of former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak will be acquitted or found guilty on all three charges.
However, Rosmah filed a last-minute application two days ago to recuse Judge Mohamed Zaini from hearing or making a decision on the case.
She filed the application on the grounds of the purported leaked judgment of her case which was prepared by another party that was viralled by the mass and electronic media last Aug 26 .
It was learnt that the High Court will deal with the application first today.
On Feb 18 last year, Rosmah, 70, was ordered to enter her defence on the three charges after the prosecution succeeded in proving a prima facie case against her.
She was charged with soliciting RM187.5 million in gratification and two counts of receiving bribes totalling RM6.5 million from Jepak Holdings Sdn Bhd former managing director Saidi Abang Samsudin.
The bribes were allegedly received through her former aide Datuk Rizal Mansor, as a reward for helping Jepak Holdings to secure the Hybrid Photovoltaic Solar System Integrated Project, as well as the maintenance and operation of diesel generator sets for 369 Sarawak rural schools worth RM1.25 billion from the Education Ministry through direct negotiation.
The prosecution is led by senior deputy public prosecutor Datuk Seri Gopal Sri Ram, while lawyer Datuk Jagjit Singh is leading the defence team.
Fifteen reporters, one from each selected media organisation, were given passes to be in the courtroom. Passes were also issued to 35 other newsmen, including the foreign press, for them to follow the proceedings via a video link in another room.
As the high-profile case has caught wide attention locally and internationally, the court also provided 60 passes to photographers and videographers from each media organisation, which allow them to be at the lobby of the Kuala Lumpur Court Complex. — Bernama
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KUCHING (Sept 1): Mid-Autumn Festival traditionally falls on the 15th day of the eighth month of the Chinese lunar calendar. On the Gregorian calendar, the festival will be celebrated on Sept 10 (Saturday) this year.
The festival has been celebrated in China and by the Chinese diaspora around the world for centuries, a tradition that is derived from the custom of worshipping the autumn moon to thank it for the year’s bountiful harvest. Its significance to the community is second only to the Lunar New Year Festival.
The full moon is also the symbol of family reunions in Chinese culture, and the most revered moon is the mid-autumn moon when it is supposedly at its brightest and most beautiful.
Like most festivals, food is also an integral part of the Mid-Autumn. The most representative food for this festival is the mooncake, hence why the festival is also known as Mooncake Festival. The round shape and sweet flavours of this traditional treat symbolise completeness and sweetness in life.
During the Mid-Autumn Festival, people eat mooncakes together with their family after a reunion dinner, or they gift them to relatives, friends or colleagues to express their best wishes and appreciation.
This is also the time when brands showcase their seasonal products by holding fairs and promotions everywhere.
There are many regional variations of mooncakes, depending on which part of China they originated from or which dialect group made them.
In Malaysia, the most ubiquitous type is the Cantonese or Guangdong-style mooncake.
Cantonese mooncakes are traditionally round, but can also be square. They are baked until golden brown in colour, and are embossed on the top, usually with auspicious Chinese characters or floral designs.
Lotus seed paste filling is the most well-known one for Cantonese-style mooncakes, with or without salted egg yolk. However, various fillings from beans to nuts to meats are available.
Red bean, mung bean, pandan, matcha green tea and chocolate are some of the fillings commonly found in Cantonese-style mooncakes here.
Another popular variation of mooncake here is the Teochew-style mooncake. This is a traditional flaky pastry with a distinctive spiral and layered crust, baked to golden brown. Besides the traditional golden brown crust, some nowadays also feature colourful crusts to stand out from the rest.
Teochew mooncake.
Traditionally, the standard filling for this type of mooncake is yam paste, with a salted egg yolk as an option but modern versions tend to have a variety of flavours as well, notably black bean and mung bean.
There is a type of mooncake that looks similar to the Teochew-style one with its roundish and crisp appearance. The Shanghai-style mooncake has a smooth crust, unlike the layered crust of Teochew mooncake, and has a buttery taste. It is typically filled with lotus seed paste and one egg yolk. What sets it apart is the topping on the crust, as it is usually topped with sesame seeds or sunflower seeds.
Shanghai mooncake.
Also found in this part of the world is the Hakka variation, although not as popular as the other types. This type of mooncake is usually white in colour, and has a compressed and circular appearance, which makes it look like the full moon.
Made with cooked glutinous rice flour and sugar, it has a powdery and sweet texture. Its top is embossed with floral or animal designs.
Hakka mooncake.
A modern take on mooncakes are the non-baked ones known as snowskin mooncakes, which has its origin in Hong Kong. This type of mooncake sometimes looks similar to the baked ones in terms of patterns and designs on the shell.
Snowskin shell is made of glutinous rice flour, resulting in a soft and slightly chewy texture like mochi skin.
While it is often snow white in colour, hence its name, nowadays their makers tend to add fruit juice or food colouring to the shell to create a variety of appealing colours. Snowskin mooncakes are best served chilled, as the shells will soften if left at room temperature for too long.
Durian-flavoured snowskin mooncake.
Another modern type of mooncake is the jelly mooncake. It is usually made with agar-agar jelly and it has a firm texture. There are various flavours in the fillings, but fruits like dragonfruit and longan, and dried flowers like osmanthus and rose are often used. Like snowskin, this is best served chilled.
Other dialect groups also have their own style of mooncakes but these are rarely seen in the typical commercial mooncake fairs that spring up during this festive season.
Regional variations aside, there is no limit to creativity where fillings and flavours are concerned these days. Custard lava or cream cheese fillings oozing out of seemingly traditional baked mooncakes, pungent durian paste in both baked and snowskin mooncakes, and tapioca pearls popping out from jelly mooncakes are just some of the many kinds of mooncakes that can be found on sale during the month leading up to the Mid-Autumn Festival.
Mooncake with custard lava in its core.
Every year, consumers are getting more spoilt for choices as bakeries and brands keep rolling out new and artisanal flavours.
Some brands remember the needs of the health-conscious and try to cater to them by reducing the sugar content in the ingredients or by replacing sweet flavours with savoury ones. While traditional classics will continue to appeal to most people, the departure from the norm may be a delight to those with adventurous taste buds.
In other words, there is something for everybody to enjoy during the Mid-Autumn Festival.
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The Artemis I unmanned lunar rocket sits on the launch pad at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, on August 25, 2022. – AFP file photo
KENNEDY SPACE CENTRE, United States (Aug 31): NASA will make a second attempt to launch its powerful new Moon rocket on Saturday, after scrubbing a test flight earlier in the week, an official said.
The highly anticipated uncrewed mission — dubbed Artemis 1 — will bring the United States a step closer to returning astronauts to the Moon five decades after humans last walked on the lunar surface.
Blastoff had been planned for Monday morning but was cancelled because a test to get one of the rocket’s four RS-25 engines to the proper temperature range for launch was not successful.
Mike Sarafin, mission manager of Artemis 1, announced the date for the new launch attempt during a media briefing on Tuesday, and NASA later tweeted that the two-hour launch window on Saturday would begin at 2:17 pm (1817 GMT).
The goal of Artemis 1, named after the twin sister of Apollo, is to test the 322-foot (98-meter) Space Launch System rocket and Orion crew capsule that sits on top.
Mannequins equipped with sensors are standing in for astronauts on the mission and will record acceleration, vibration and radiation levels.
Tens of thousands of people — including US Vice President Kamala Harris — had gathered to watch the launch, 50 years after Apollo 17 astronauts last set foot on the Moon.
Ahead of the planned Monday launch, operations to fill the orange-and-white rocket with ultra-cold liquid hydrogen and oxygen were briefly delayed by a risk of lightning.
A potential leak was detected during the filling of the main stage with hydrogen, causing a pause. After tests, the flow resumed.
NASA engineers later detected the engine temperature problem and decided to scrub the launch.
– Orbiting the Moon –
The Orion capsule is to orbit the Moon to see if the vessel is safe for people in the near future. At some point, Artemis aims to put a woman and a person of color on the Moon for the first time.
During the 42-day trip, Orion will follow an elliptical course around the Moon, coming within 60 miles (100 kilometers) at its closest approach and 40,000 miles at its farthest — the deepest into space by a craft designed to carry humans.
One of the main objectives is to test the capsule’s heat shield, which at 16 feet in diameter is the largest ever built.
On its return to Earth’s atmosphere, the heat shield will have to withstand speeds of 25,000 miles per hour and a temperature of 5,000 degrees Fahrenheit (2,760 degrees Celsius) — roughly half as hot as the Sun.
NASA is expected to spend $93 billion between 2012 and 2025 on the Artemis programme, which is already years behind schedule, at a cost of $4.1 billion per launch.
The next mission, Artemis 2, will take astronauts into orbit around the Moon without landing on its surface.
The crew of Artemis 3 is to land on the Moon in 2025 at the earliest.
And since humans have already visited the Moon, Artemis has its sights set on another lofty goal: a crewed mission to Mars.
The Artemis programme aims to establish a lasting human presence on the Moon with an orbiting space station known as Gateway and a base on the surface.
Gateway would serve as a staging and refueling station for a voyage to the Red Planet that would take a minimum of several months. – AFP
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The accused is escorted to the holding cell at the courthouse.
KUCHING (Aug 31): The Sessions Court here yesterday ordered an unemployed Algerian man to enter his defence on three charges of incestuous acts and one charge of sexual assault against his now 14-year-old daughter.
Judge Dayang Ellyn Narisa Abang Ahmad found that the prosecution has succeeded in proving a prima facie case against the 50-year-old accused.
She also ordered the man to enter his defence on Oct 28 and 31.
According to the three charges framed under Section 376B(1) of the Penal Code which provides for 30 years in prison and caning, the accused was alleged to have committed incest against his daughter in 2012, 2014 and May 2019.
The three charges were allegedly committed at a village in Petra Jaya here.
It is also understood that the man, a former gym trainer, had wed a local woman and has been living here ever since.
He was also ordered to enter his defence for a charge framed under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, for allegedly committing physical sexual assault against his daughter in March 2020.
The section provides for up to 20 years’ jail and whipping, upon conviction.
Dayang Ellyn meanwhile discharged and acquitted the man on a charge of criminal intimidation against his daughter, and a fourth charge of incest against the girl, after ruling the prosecution had failed to prove a prima facie case against him.
He allegedly committed criminal intimidation against his daughter by threatening to kill her in May 2019, an offence listed under Section 506 of the Penal Code which provides for a jail term up to seven years, or a fine, or both, if convicted.
The fourth incest charge was for an alleged act committed in May 2020.
DPP Danial Mohamad Ali prosecuted, while the accused was unrepresented by counsel.
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BINTULU (Aug 31): The second arrival of Kembara Merdeka Keluarga Malaysia (KMKM) 2022 convoy here on Monday was enlivened with the participation of high-powered motorcycles from Bintulu Big Bikers Association.
The roar of their high-powered machines was enough to attract the attention of people lining the route to Rumah Ijau Undah, Sungai Sebemban, Kuala Tatau.
Members of the convoy pose for a photo during a stop at Rumah Ijau Undah.
The convoy was flagged off at Promenade Hotel Bintulu by Tanjong Batu assemblyman Johnny Pang Leong Ming.
The presence of the convoy at the longhouse was meant to promote the Merdeka@Komuniti DUN Jepak programme, with various activities such as colouring contest for individuals aged 40 and above and ‘Komuniti Keluarga Malaysia’ decorated car competition held.
Bintulu Big Bikers Association deputy chairman Azman Drahman said this was their first participation in the state-level programme in conjunction with the National Day celebration.
He said the association had previously joined a convoy in conjunction with the Bintulu divisional-level National Month do.
“We are always open for invitation to participate in any convoy in the future, which is not limited to the Bintulu area,” he said.
Azman said this was a very meaningful convoy for them as it reminded them and the community of the fighting spirit of the previous generations, and to promote patriotism among the people.
“The diversity of races and backgrounds of the convoy members is a reflection of unity and togetherness in the association,” he said.
Bintulu Big Bikers Association has ties with high-powered motorcycle associations not only in Bintulu but also from Brunei and Indonesia, he added.
Meanwhile, Bintulu District Officer Muhammad Dino Amid in his opening speech said the spirit of ‘Keluarga Malaysia Teguh Bersama’ among the people would further facilitate the development programmes of the Sarawak government.
“When there is togetherness, unity and cooperation among the community, all government efforts and plans in bringing development to the people will be easier to realise,” he said.
The convoy arrived in Bintulu on Monday after several stops in northern Sarawak, namely Lawas, Limbang and Niah.
Their next stop is Tatau before heading to Betong today for the state-level National Day celebration.
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A participant of Larian Keluarga Malaysia is seen running ahead of the KMKM2022 convoy. – Penerangan photo
BINTULU (Aug 31): The Kembara Merdeka Keluarga Malaysia (KMKM) 2022 convoy arrived in Tatau around 3pm yesterday, accompanied by about 100 runners.
They were local runners who were taking part in the ‘Larian Keluarga Malaysia’ held in conjunction with the district-level Merdeka@Komuniti Tatau programme.
The KMKM convoy was welcomed by Tatau District information officer Donny Minggu Ling.
Tatau assistant district officer Calvin Ligong, 36, who was one of participants of the run, said the programme could strengthen rapport among the multi-racial people in Tatau apart from the joy of celebrating the National Day.
“It (run) can foster cooperation and teamwork. It is not just about winning the race but rather leading a healthy lifestyle,” he said.
Another participant, Ibrahim Abu Othman, 34, said he participated in the run in support of a healthy programme held in conjunction with the National Day celebration.
He said it could promote the patriotism spirit among the participants of various races.
Minister in the Sarawak Premier’s Department Datuk John Sikie Tayai congratulated the Malaysian Information Department and Tatau District Information Office for organising the programme in celebrating the National Day.
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KUCHING (Aug 31): Parti Bangsa Malaysia (PBM) has postponed to tomorrow the announcement of new elected representatives joining the party.
Originally, the announcement and the ensuing press conference were slated for yesterday in Kuala Lumpur.
When asked the reason for the postponement, its president Datuk Larry Sng said: “No reason in particular.”
On Monday, Sng was tight-lipped when asked if there would be Sarawakian elected representatives joining the party.
“Wait and see,” he said then.
PBM is applying to join the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition which comprises Umno, among others.
Last Thursday, Sng also said he would be defending his Julau seat in the next parliamentary election because PBM’s main priority now is to contest in all seats currently represented by the party.
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Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said this covers 1,232 officers who were offered the medical master’s specialist study programme, 54 officers the dental master’s study programme and 61 other officers the Parallel Pathway Programme. — Malay Mail photo
KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 30): A total of 1,347 Ministry of Health (MOH) permanent medical and dental officers have been offered specialist study programmes for the 2022/2023 academic session.
Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said this covers 1,232 officers who were offered the medical master’s specialist study programme, 54 officers the dental master’s study programme and 61 other officers the Parallel Pathway Programme.
Apart from that, he said 216 contract officers were also offered specialist study programmes through the Specialist Training Programme (PLK) on MOH scholarships, which are being offered for the first time to contract officers since the contract scheme was introduced in 2016.
“This offer for the specialist study programme, with sponsorship through PLK, is also in line with the decision by the Cabinet to create an equal career pathway between permanent and contract officers,” he said in a statement today.
Khairy said the officers can check the eHLP website at http://ehlp.moh.gov.my on the status of their application for the offer of full-pay study leave (CBBP) with the Hadiah Latihan Persekutuan (HLP) and PLK with MOH scholarship for successful officers to follow the programmes.
Advertisements for the study applications came out on January 28 and the candidate selection process began after the closing date on March 10.
For the 2023/2024 academic session, applications for CBBP with the HLP and PLK with the MOH scholarship for the medical master’s specialist study programme, dental master’s study programme and Parallel Pathway programme will open in October. — Bernama
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Sagah (front) and others being briefed on one of the areas to be developed under the proposed Serian Master Plan Study.
KUCHING (Aug 30): Any proposal for the long term development of Serian must be implementable and practical, said Minister for Education, Innovation and Talent Development Datuk Roland Sagah Wee Inn.
Besides that, he added, the proposals must also be really attractive for investors.
The Tarat assemblyman acknowledged that very often the development master plans made by the consultants looked very attractive and good but many were not implementable and practical.
“Of course, I believe Serian can become an industrial area but it would be most practical for light and highly skilled industry, not for heavy industry, because light industry can easily bring the people and is practical.
“For example, if you were to develop hitech industry in Serian, it must be light hitech industries that just need the brain.
“Things like this are more implementable and practical,” he told reporters during a tea break of the Thinking Lab for Serian Master Plan Study 2020 to 2030 at the Function Hall, State Government Administrative Centre here yesterday.
Sagah believed that what makes Serian attractive for investors is the cost of living, which is lower compared to Kuching, and its green environment, making it a good place for living.
On the current status of the Master Plan itself, he said it is still at the study stage by the consultant and not finalised.
He said after the thinking lab the proposal might be submitted to the state Economic Planning Unit (EPU), which may propose it to the state government.
He reiterated that as much as he wanted Serian to be developed, every proposal or study must be practical to implement.
“The study by consultants should also include how to implement them and who will operate them.
“For example in the Tebedu industrial area, what kind of industry should be operating there; is there any investor or company willing to operate there, this must be seriously considered,” he said.
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CyberSecurity Malaysia chief executive officer Datuk Dr Amirudin Abdul Wahab
KUCHING: CyberSecurity Malaysia has been developing training and certification programmes that are customised to local needs and aligned with international standards.
Through its Cyber Security Professional Development in CyberSecurity Malaysia, the agency has evolved to a new platform in nurturing information security practitioners and promoting knowledge sharing with leading industry experts and academicians as well as fostering local and international collaborations.
“We have experience in information security competency and specialised training in Malaysia and we deliver a diverse line up of competency and professional certification courses aimed at meeting the accelerating needs of cyber landscape,” said CyberSecurity Malaysia chief executive officer Datuk Dr Amirudin Abdul Wahab to The Borneo Post.
CyberSecurity Malaysia has developed a framework called Cyber Security Capacity Building Framework to cultivate Cyber Security expertise, knowledge, and awareness via various initiatives, including the Global Accreditation Cybersecurity Education Certification scheme (Global ACE).
“CyberSecurity Malaysia with the support from the government, academia and industry, has established Global ACE which is aligned with international standards of ISO17024, ISO27001 & ISO9001,” Amirudin said.
“Global ACE has embarked on several key initiatives and stepped up collaborative efforts with various government agencies, industry partners as well as the higher learning institutions (IHLs) to enhance cybersecurity professionals’ skill sets.”
The Global ACE was established to validate and certify cybersecurity personnel as the world-class competent workforce in cybersecurity and promote the development of professional cybersecurity programmes within the region.
As of August 2022, the programmes have produced 14,240 local cybersecurity expertise and serving across the industry.
Global ACE has established synergistic collaboration with public and private organisations such as universities and colleges by embedding cybersecurity professional certifications into their education syllabuses to value-add graduates. We can do the above because we have the support from the government, academia and industry.
Apart from Global ACE, CyberSecurity Malaysia also has a programme called CyberGuru, with several modules provided.
Among the training provided under the CyberGuru programmes are Cyber Security Essential, which provides general understanding about the importance of cyber security, create awareness on the growing cyber threats and trends and its impact towards cyber terrorism and internet radicalisation.
Other programmes under CyberGuru include:
• Introduction to ISO 27001 – Information Security Management System (ISMS)
• Malaysia Common Criteria 1.0 (MyCC) – Understanding Security Target, Protection Profile & Supporting Evaluation
• Cyber Security Risk Management for C-Suite
• Incident Handling and Network Security (IHNS)
• Web Application Security Assessment
• Server and Desktop Security Assessment
• Certified Information Security Awareness Manager (CISAM)
• Certified Penetration Tester (CPT)
• Certified Secure Application Practitioner (CSAP)
• Certified Cybersecurity Awareness Educator (CCAsE)
• Certified Secure Operation Centre Analyst (CSOC)
• Certified Incident Handling and Network Security Analyst (CIHNSA)
• Certified Data Security Analyst (CDSA)
• Certified Information Security Management System Auditor (CISMSA)
• Certified Digital Forensic for First Responder (CDFFR)
In addition to capacity building programmes, CyberSecurity Malaysia has also come out with CyberSAFE aimed at inculcating cybersecurity awareness among the public, and to safeguard them against various cyber threats that include cyber spying and cyberstalking.
Activities that have been carried out by CyberSAFE include:
a) Awareness talks and open seminars
b) Training of teachers/ambassadors
c) Onsite awareness days/week
d) Awareness activity kits
e) Awareness roadshows and competitions
f) Consultation with the community and various interest groups
g) National ICT Security Discourse (NICTSeD)
h) Safer Internet Day (SID)
i) Cyber Discovery Camp
j) Cyber SAFE mentor programme for institute of higher learning centres
k) Cyber SAFE Treasure Hunt/Explore Race
l) Cyber SAFE Performing Arts
“We realise the importance of nurturing both the current and future talents for cybersecurity capacity and capability building for the country,” Amirudin said.
“This is why we have been working with colleges and universities, both public and private, by helping them to develop quality cybersecurity subjects and courses.
“We also help them to improve their current subjects and courses to ensure proper coverage so that they keep up with the current and future trends in cybersecurity.”
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KUCHING (Aug 30): The Sarawak government is in the midst of identifying a potential operator for an English-style Tea House under construction near Fort Margherita here, says Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.
The Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister could not provide the latest progress on the project but was told work is going well.
“The English-style Tea House is a beautification project in the area. The water cascade is completed, and below the water cascade is the English-style Tea House, which is slightly delayed,” he said in response to a question during a press conference here yesterday.
However, he expected the new tourism icon to be completed soon and is seeking a potential operator.
“Our Premier wants visitors to bring back the old days-how the old English-style Tea House was run with somebody serving in English-kind of attire.
“Hopefully within this year,” he added.
Meanwhile, Abdul Karim informed that the International Dragon Boat Race to be held in October has attracted 2,600 foreign peddlers from 17 nations, with the United States sending in the largest team.
According to him, the state has turned down some nations so there would not be too many preliminary rounds.
He said it would be a major international event given that a similar event hosted by Sabah recently only attracted three countries.
“International juries, the professionals, have to be brought in for our International Dragon Boat Race.
“One week after the International Dragon Boat Race, we will have our Sarawak Regatta, and then the Miss International Tourism with 60 countries participating,” he revealed.
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SIBU (Aug 30): The new 130m Nanga Machan reinforced concrete beam bridge across Sungai Kanowit in Kanowit has been completed.
According to the Regional Corridor Development Authority (Recoda) website, the project also included road upgrading of the existing 9.5km dirt road to R1 Standard.
“With this project completed, the people of Machan can now have enhanced road connectivity to Rumah Upoi, Rumah Sandom, Rumah Petay and Machan town,” it stated.
The infrastructure project was implemented by Upper Rajang Development Agency (Urda) under Recoda.
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The accused (third left) and his brother (fourth left) is pictured outside the courtroom with Shankar (left) and Lim (second left).
KUCHING (Aug 30): The Sessions Court here yesterday discharged and acquitted a teacher on four counts of committing physical sexual assault and one count of gross indecency against a 12-year-old male student in 2019.
Judge Dayang Ellyn Narisa Abang Ahmad freed the 47-year-old accused without calling for his defence, after ruling the prosecution had failed to establish a prima facie case.
It was understood the court found that the victim in the case, who was the third prosecution witness, had contradicted himself when giving his statements.
On the first to third charge, the accused allegedly sexually assaulted the student between April and July 2019 at the male toilet and store room of a school in Petra Jaya.
The charges were framed under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, punishable under Section 14 of the same Act, which provides for up to 20 years in prison and caning upon conviction.
On the fourth charge, the accused was alleged to have sexually assaulted the student in the school’s male toilet in August 2019.
The charge was framed under Section 14(b) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, punishable under Section 14 of the same Act, which provides for up to 20 years’ jail and caning upon conviction.
On the fifth charge, the accused was alleged to have committed gross indecency against the student at the school’s toilet between April and July 2019.
The charge was framed under Section 377E of the Penal Code which provides for a jail term of up to 15 years and caning upon conviction.
It was learned the student had related the alleged incidents to his grandmother, who then informed the boy’s father, prompting the father to lodge a police report.
A total of six prosecution witnesses comprising the student, a police photographer, the student’s father, a female teacher, the school’s headmaster and a police officer, were called to testify during the trial which started in 2020.
Deputy public prosecutor Danial Mohamad Ali prosecuted the case, while the accused was represented by counsels Shankar Ram Asnani, Russell Lim and Yu Ying Ying.
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KUCHING (Aug 30): Sarawak Business Federation (SBF) is disappointed that the Sarawakku Sayang Special Aid (BKSS) 9.0 did not reach out to private contractors and developers undertaking affordable housing projects, to help them overcome the spike in the construction materials prices.
SBF secretary-general Datuk Jonathan Chai said the highlight of BKSS 9.0 was the introduction of the Variation of Price (VoP) 2.0, which caters for the increase in price of construction materials for all state-funded projects.
He said such special provision would definitely help a lot of contractors undertaking those state-funded projects in tackling the inflationary pressures of building materials and related services, and consequently, to get the projects going.
“Otherwise (those state-funded projects) would be likely to turn into ICU (sick) projects.
“The only disappointment is that nothing is provided to help the contractors and developers in coping or overcoming the spike in the prices of the construction materials especially those undertake the construction of affordable housing from the private sector,” he told The Borneo Post when prompted for comments on the BKSS 9.0 announced yesterday.
Chai said it would be an outcry for those who need to own a residential property in this challenging time if the ceiling price for affordable housing such as units under the Sri Pertiwi Programme was revised upward.
He, however, said it would be practical not to adjust the ceiling price of affordable housing.
He suggested that the Sarawak government give discounts on the capital contributions of water and electricity supply, as well as a special rate on payment of premium for conversion of title conditions for affordable housing projects.
He believed this will effectively help to reduce construction costs of developers during these trying times.
Nevertheless, Chai welcomed the BKSS 9.0 announced by Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg earlier yesterday.
He said the efforts of the Sarawak government in extending further aid measures to all Sarawakians across all walks of life should be lauded.
He added that measures like the continuation of discounts on electricity and water bills; assessment rates for residential, commercial, industrial and special holdings; and 50 per cent discount on rental of stalls and markets under the purview of local authorities will definitely help to ease the financial burden of many families especially those from the M40 and B40 as well as micro enterprises and petty traders.
Abang Johari announced BKSS 9.0 worth over RM1 billion, consisting of five measures in an effort to lessen the burden of those affected by the rising cost of living.
The VoP 2.0 special provisions are one of the five measures under the aid package.
The Premier said the state government is estimated to bear approximately RM700 million for allowing the variation of price.
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