Latest news with #Bangi
Malay Mail
13 hours ago
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Zahid: Kemas teacher salary scheme to be revamped, special needs kindergartens in every district by 2027
BANGI, June 19 — The Ministry of Rural and Regional Development (KKDW) will review the salary scheme for Community Development Department (Kemas) teachers, aiming to elevate their role and better protect their welfare. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the welfare of Kemas teachers, whether in terms of allowances, promotion opportunities, social protection or recognition, must be prioritised and structured appropriately. 'To raise outstanding children, we must start by uplifting their educators. We cannot expect extraordinary results if our teachers are only provided with the bare minimum. 'That is why I want a comprehensive and phased strategic improvement plan implemented for Kemas educators,' said Ahmad Zahid, who is also Rural and Regional Development Minister, when launching the Kemas Educators' Day celebration here today. Also present were KKDW secretary-general Datuk Muhd Khair Razman Mohamed Annuar and Kemas director-general Datuk Mohd Hanafiah Man. Ahmad Zahid expressed confidence that with continued support, focused training, and a work ecosystem that values its educators, Malaysia could nurture more dynamic and competitive Kemas teachers who remain the backbone of community education in the country. Meanwhile, he said KKDW aims to establish at least one kindergarten (tabika) for children with special needs in every district nationwide by 2027. He said this effort was to ensure that children with special needs are not left behind in receiving early education through the implementation of the Tabika Tunas Istimewa@Kemas, which begins this year. 'This initiative will start in Melaka this year. God willing, we will try to ensure that no Malaysian child is left behind in accessing early education, regardless of their circumstances,' he said. On the Smart Classroom@Kemas project, a pilot initiative for smart classrooms introduced by Kemas, Ahmad Zahid said it would be a game changer in propelling the early childhood education system into the digital era. 'My aspiration is for at least one smart kindergarten to be established in every district by 2026,' he said, expressing hope that skills-based education, such as technical and vocational education and training (TVET), could begin from an early stage. Ahmad Zahid also expressed pride in other Kemas achievements, including the graduation of 61,032 young huffaz (Quran memorisers) through the Kemas Pre-Tahfiz Programme at 4,229 centres. 'This programme is one of the major accomplishments that I consider a game changer in the early childhood education system. Starting with just 100 kindergartens in 2023, the programme has seen rapid growth. 'God willing, by 2026, we are targeting more than 9,700 Tabika Kemas to be involved, with the participation of over 145,000 young huffaz, surpassing our initial target of 140,000,' he said. He added that to date, Kemas operates 10,567 kindergartens and 577 nurseries (taska) nationwide, providing care and early education to 221,012 children from diverse backgrounds. — Bernama
Malay Mail
15 hours ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
Zahid says Cabinet to rethink SST on imported fruits like apples, oranges, to avoid weighing down low wage earners
BANGI, June 19 — The government will review the implementation of the revised and expanded Sales and Services Tax (SST) on several selected imported goods, including fruits such as apples and mandarin oranges, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said today. He noted that the fruits are not produced locally but are fully imported, and therefore the tax should be reconsidered before imposing a rate of between five and 10 per cent. 'I believe it is reasonable for (the new SST rate on certain goods) to be reviewed and I think there will be an adjustment for certain materials to be categorised for tax at five to 10 per cent. '(But) don't take that conclusively,' he told reporters after officiating the Community Development Department (Kemas) Teachers' Day Celebration here. Earlier, Mydin Holdings Bhd managing director Datuk Ameer Ali Mydin Mohamed described the move to impose SST on imported fruit as unreasonable, saying it would also affect low-income consumers. Responding to this, Ahmad Zahid said the views raised by Ameer Ali should be brought to the Cabinet meeting, as the issue concerns public access to imported fruits. 'The revenue from fruit tax to the country is not that high. So if SST is imposed, the price will increase. 'I know the purpose (of imposing SST on imported fruits) is to protect local fruits but we do not produce apples and mandarin oranges. I am sure the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Economy are also looking into the matter,' he said. On June 9, the government announced a targeted SST review set to take effect from July 1, 2025. The sales tax rate will remain unchanged for essential goods, while a five or 10 per cent rate will be applied to non-essential or discretionary goods. The scope of service tax has also been expanded to cover six new categories: rental or leasing, construction, finance, private healthcare, education, and beauty. — Bernama
Malay Mail
15 hours ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
DPM Zahid: Govt to review SST on some imports including non-local fruits like apples, mandarin oranges
BANGI, June 19 — The government will review the implementation of the revised and expanded Sales and Services Tax (SST) on several selected imported goods, including fruits such as apples and mandarin oranges, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said today. He noted that the fruits are not produced locally but are fully imported, and therefore the tax should be reconsidered before imposing a rate of between five and 10 per cent. 'I believe it is reasonable for (the new SST rate on certain goods) to be reviewed and I think there will be an adjustment for certain materials to be categorised for tax at five to 10 per cent. '(But) don't take that conclusively,' he told reporters after officiating the Community Development Department (Kemas) Teachers' Day Celebration here. Earlier, Mydin Holdings Bhd managing director Datuk Ameer Ali Mydin Mohamed described the move to impose SST on imported fruit as unreasonable, saying it would also affect low-income consumers. Responding to this, Ahmad Zahid said the views raised by Ameer Ali should be brought to the Cabinet meeting, as the issue concerns public access to imported fruits. 'The revenue from fruit tax to the country is not that high. So if SST is imposed, the price will increase. 'I know the purpose (of imposing SST on imported fruits) is to protect local fruits but we do not produce apples and mandarin oranges. I am sure the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Economy are also looking into the matter,' he said. On June 9, the government announced a targeted SST review set to take effect from July 1, 2025. The sales tax rate will remain unchanged for essential goods, while a five or 10 per cent rate will be applied to non-essential or discretionary goods. The scope of service tax has also been expanded to cover six new categories: rental or leasing, construction, finance, private healthcare, education, and beauty. — Bernama
Malay Mail
4 days ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
AI laws in the works? Azalina calls for joint talks with Digital Ministry
BANGI, June 16 — Malaysia is studying to develop artificial intelligence (AI) legislation to address legal complexities in the digital age, said Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said. Azalina said she has written to Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo to propose a meeting between the Legal Affairs Division (BHEUU) and the Digital Ministry to initiate a discussion on drafting new AI laws. 'I have written to the Digital Minister Gobind about looking into more AI (specific) laws for our country. There should be a meeting between BHEUU and the Digital Ministry,' she said. Azalina was speaking at a press conference after BHEUU's monthly assembly and the launch of the National Legal Academy (APN) here today. She said Malaysia has no specific laws focused on AI because, unlike traditional technologies, AI operates on an entirely different platform. Azalina said that so far, the only comprehensive AI legislation in the world is the European Union's AI Act, which sets out clear definitions, responsibilities and categories of AI risks. Azalina also highlighted Malaysia's progress in judicial digitalisation, including initiatives like voice-to-text systems and online filings. 'We want the court to be more efficient. So the court is taking in more digital documents, but we want more to be done. We want it to apply not only in Putrajaya but also elsewhere, especially at district courts,' she added. — Bernama
Malay Mail
4 days ago
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Azalina: Online Safety Act coming into force soon, targets digital harm to children
BANGI, June 16 — Malaysia is set to enforce the Online Safety Act 2024 soon following its full passage through Parliament and Royal Assent. Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform), Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, said the Act has already been gazetted and is now awaiting the official enforcement date to be signed by Communications Minister, Datuk Fahmi Fadzil. She said the law will give authorities greater powers to regulate digital platforms and bolster safeguards, particularly to protect children from online harm. Azalina said the law will come into force as soon as Fahmi signs the enforcement order, enabling the government to act swiftly in removing unlawful content. Under the Act, platform providers will also be required to uphold a defined duty of care. 'After that, there will be a joint council (Online Safety Committee) to define online harms,' she said at a press conference after the monthly assembly of the Legal Affairs Division (BHEUU) and launch of the National Legal Academy (APN), here today. Azalina said that while the Online Safety Act centres on platform regulation and digital responsibility, any matter involving children must also be viewed through the lens of the Child Act 2001. On a separate note, she stressed the urgent need for stronger legal frameworks to ensure corporate accountability, particularly in cases involving public safety and transport negligence. Citing the recent bus crash that claimed the lives of 15 UPSI students, Azalina called for policy-level discussions on corporate liability, including the potential introduction of corporate manslaughter laws. 'How can a company run a business and not be held responsible? Take the example of what happened with Air India. If something goes wrong mechanically, it should not be enough to just pay out insurance. Someone must be held accountable,' she stressed. — Bernama
