logo
Meluan rep urges free higher education plan for part-time learners

Meluan rep urges free higher education plan for part-time learners

The Sun22-05-2025

KUCHING: The Sarawak government has been urged to consider allowing adult learners to pursue part-time studies under the free higher education initiative.
Meluan assemblyman Rolland Duat Jubin said this would allow Sarawak-born individuals with 'K' status (permanent residents or Malaysian citizens of Sarawak origin) to benefit from the initiative while remaining in employment.
'As a former educator whose passion for teaching still burns bright, I deeply appreciate this initiative.
'It will not only benefit individuals but also enhance the quality of Sarawak's workforce in its aspiration to become an economic powerhouse in Malaysia and the region,' he said during the debate on the motion of thanks for the address by Sarawak Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar at the State Legislative Assembly sitting today.
Rolland also proposed short-term programmes or courses in areas such as coding, through recognised institutions or online platforms, to enhance skills and add value to the Sarawak workforce.
Last Sunday, Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg announced that the state government will offer free full-time higher education to Sarawakians, including those currently employed but never had the opportunity to pursue further studies.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Malaysia, Poland seek strengthened economic, trade ties
Malaysia, Poland seek strengthened economic, trade ties

Malaysia Sun

timean hour ago

  • Malaysia Sun

Malaysia, Poland seek strengthened economic, trade ties

KUALA LUMPUR, June 10 (Xinhua) -- Malaysia is seeking strengthened economic and trade ties with Poland while reaffirming the importance of free and open trade, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Polish President Andrzej Duda said here on Tuesday. They reaffirmed the importance of adhering to internationally accepted trade norms and multilateral engagement and cooperation, as this would be mutually beneficial, the leaders said in a joint statement during Duda's official visit to Malaysia from June 9 to 11. "The leaders reiterated their unwavering commitment to open and inclusive trade and a fair, rules-based international trading system. They strongly reaffirmed their support for the swift advancement of the Malaysia-EU Free Trade Agreement (MEUFTA) negotiations and stressed the importance of concluding the agreement at the earliest opportunity," they said. "Both sides agreed to promote balanced trade by reducing economic barriers, enhancing consultation mechanisms between relevant ministries, and fostering collaboration amongst business communities," they said, adding that friendly bilateral cooperation will facilitate cooperation in a number of new and emerging fields such as the digitalization of public services, green transition, particularly the hydrogen economy and renewable energy and the maritime economy. Anwar and Duda also agreed to cooperate on security matters, including enhancing the exchange of experiences and coordination in combating crime, including organized and international crime. Poland is Malaysia's important trading partner among EU member states. Malaysia's main exports to Poland include electrical and electronic products, rubber products and machinery, while main imports from Poland consist of machinery, equipment and spare parts, electrical and electronic products, and transport equipment.

Zambry urges scholarship providers to diversify student placements beyond US
Zambry urges scholarship providers to diversify student placements beyond US

New Straits Times

time3 hours ago

  • New Straits Times

Zambry urges scholarship providers to diversify student placements beyond US

PUTRAJAYA: Local scholarship providers have been urged to make immediate decisions regarding placing their sponsored students in countries other than the United States (US), following the impact of new tariff policies introduced by the country. Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir said Malaysia had many high-achieving students qualified to pursue studies in the world's best universities, not exclusively in the US. "We can no longer be trapped by policies that are too regressive in nature, to the extent of jeopardising opportunities for students from all over the world, including Malaysia, to study. "For me, the best universities are also available in other countries," he said when met at the 'Luncheon Talk With Editors' session in conjunction with the Asean-Malaysia Chairmanship 2025 Programme, organised by the Higher Education Ministry, here today. He was commenting on the impact of new US tariff policies on Malaysian students pursuing studies there. Previously, the Trump administration issued directives to halt the processing of visas for all foreign students and considered measures to screen new applicants based on their social media posts. Mara chairman Datuk Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki was reportedly quoted as saying that Mara would stop sending its sponsored students to the US starting this year, following the introduction of President Donald Trump's new policies. – BERNAMA

Ramasamy unravels Malaysia's road safety crisis: Can Minister Anthony Loke rise to the challenge?
Ramasamy unravels Malaysia's road safety crisis: Can Minister Anthony Loke rise to the challenge?

Focus Malaysia

time7 hours ago

  • Focus Malaysia

Ramasamy unravels Malaysia's road safety crisis: Can Minister Anthony Loke rise to the challenge?

THE recent chartered bus tragedy near Tasik Banding along the Gerik-Jeli East West Highway which claimed the lives of 15 Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) students has once again thrown a harsh spotlight on Malaysia's persistent and worsening road safety crisis. It is a grim reminder of the systemic failures in the country's transport management = a system that continues to cost innocent lives with alarming regularity. Under the leadership of Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook, the Transport Ministry (MOT) has shown a concerning pattern: a reactive approach to fatal road accidents rather than proactive, sustained intervention. Investigations, inspections and audits only seem to follow after devastating crashes. This cycle of delayed accountability and knee-jerk responses has done little to stem the tide of fatalities on Malaysian roads. The core issue is not the lack of regulation – vehicle inspections, licensing protocols and road safety measures technically exist. The problem lies in their poor enforcement and a bureaucratic machinery undermined by endemic corruption. From graft to fancy license plates Reports have repeatedly pointed to corruption as the chief obstacle to ensuring heavy vehicles such as buses and lorries are roadworthy. From falsified inspection records to bribes for driving licenses, corruption has hollowed out the very institutions meant to safeguard road safety. Malaysia once prided itself on a modern highway system, particularly the North-South Expressway. But years of under-investment, skyrocketing vehicle ownership and failure to expand or diversify routes have made these roads dangerously congested. Lateral highways have done little to absorb traffic overflow while heavy vehicles dominate the roads at all hours – many poorly maintained and driven by operators under intense pressure to meet unrealistic schedules. The MOT appears ill-equipped to handle this growing crisis. It lacks not only sufficient funding and manpower but also the strategic vision and political will to enforce reform. Despite years of tragic accidents, there has been little systemic overhaul. Instead, the ministry appears consumed with superficial matters – such as regulating fancy license plates – while the real problems fester. Robust overhauling Minister Loke must break this pattern. He must demonstrate that his ministry is not merely a passive observer of road tragedies but an active agent of change. A full revamp of the ministry's enforcement arms – including the Road Transport Department (JPJ), the Land Public Transport Agency (APAD) and the PUSPAKOM vehicle inspection service – is urgently needed. These agencies require robust oversight, strict anti-corruption mechanisms and modernised infrastructure to carry out their duties effectively. Families have been shattered and lives lost in accidents that were entirely preventable. Unless there is a paradigm shift in how the government tackles this issue, Malaysia risks being labelled as having one of the most dangerous traffic systems in Asia. Can Minister Loke transform Malaysia's roads into some of the safest in the region? Or will the country continue to descend down the rankings, its roads becoming synonymous with fear, injury and death? Road safety demands political courage – not photo opportunities. The time for reaction is over. What Malaysia needs now is a Transport Minister with the vision and resolve to act before the next tragedy strikes. – June 10, 2025 Former DAP stalwart and Penang chief minister II Prof Ramasamy Palanisamy is chairman of the United Rights of Malaysian Party (Urimai) interim council. The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia. Image credit: Bernama

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store