Tatchanai Program Helps Over 800 Indian Students Sit For STPM Since 2018
Senior Private Secretary to the Deputy Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Datuk Anbumani Balan said over 250 of these students later secured places in public universities.
The mentoring initiative, supported by Deputy Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan, is run by the Johor Self-Help Association and Social I-Tenaga Association and conducted online to assist Indian students preparing for STPM.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sinar Daily
4 minutes ago
- Sinar Daily
US tariff cut to 19 per cent still poses short-term economic risk for Malaysia
KUALA LUMPUR - The United States' (US) decision to reduce tariff on Malaysian exports to 19 pr cent from 25 per cent signals a willingness to negotiate, but the revised tariff is still expected to have significant economic repercussions for Malaysia in the short- and long-term, said an economist. UOB Kay Hian Wealth Advisors Sdn Bhd investment research head Mohd Sedek Jantan told Bernama that trade tariffs typically exert measurable effects on gross domestic product (GDP) and fiscal balances 12 to 15 months after implementation. However, he added that the extent of the impact depends heavily on government and corporations' respond. In Malaysia's case, he believes the repercussions may be cushioned, given the proactive and strategic policy direction outlined under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP). He said the 13MP, unveiled by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on Thursday, provides a comprehensive framework to mitigate geo-economic risks, particularly those related to trade fragmentation, global supply chain realignments and technological shifts. "Investor sentiment has also responded with relative composure. The 19 per cent tariff, lower than initially feared, has helped stabilise markets. "Hence, we anticipate foreign investors may return as net buyers in the Malaysian capital market as soon as this week," said Mohd Sedek. He has, therefore, maintained that the FBM KLCI will remain on track to meet end-2025 target of 1,650 points, supported by sector rotation, policy clarity and regional positioning. In the short term, the economist said the tariff will raise the cost of Malaysian exports for non-exempted goods such as furniture, rubber products, palm oil derivatives and machines. These sectors collectively represent about 40 per cent of Malaysia's US exports of US$26 billion, equivalent to over 11 per cent of total exports. "Adjustments in demand elasticity could reduce profit margins by between 10 and 30 per cent, with potential annual export losses estimated at US$2 billion. "This is likely to place immediate pressure on key sectors such as furniture, where nearly 20 per cent of output is US-bound. In tandem, short-term volatility in the equity market can be expected as investors reassess risk and earnings outlooks," he said. Nevertheless, Malaysia's competitive position may be partially cushioned by the exemption of semiconductor exports, which account for 7.9 per cent of total exports, and by the relatively lower tariff rate versus China's 34 per cent and Vietnam's 20 per cent. "This advantage could facilitate trade diversion as US importers seek to avoid higher-cost suppliers, potentially redirecting trade flows in Malaysia's favour. "In this context, there is room for cautious optimism that the government already has in place contingency plans to mitigate the tariff shock and prevent it from transmitting into broader trade or economic disruption," he said. Ultimately, Malaysia's long-term trajectory will depend on the effective implementation of the 13th Malaysia Plan reforms. If executed with consistency, Malaysia stands to emerge as a more resilient and regionally significant economy within ASEAN. Nonetheless, continued global trade tensions and geopolitical uncertainties could cap potential growth, with real GDP expansion likely to settle below the 5.0 per cent threshold in the medium term. Meanwhile, Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd chief economist Dr Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid said the negative impact on Malaysia's economy is expected to be slightly mitigated. In this regard, Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) has revised its GDP forecast for 2025 to a range of 4.0-4.8 per cent, down from the earlier 4.5-5.5 per cent projection. Meanwhile, the 13MP projects economic growth for 2026 to 2030 at around 4.5-5.5 per cent, a range deemed appropriate given the evolving global economic climate. "Therefore, it is crucial to preserve strong bilateral ties with the US, while simultaneously exploring new opportunities with countries in Europe, the BRICS bloc and strengthening economic and diplomatic cooperation within ASEAN," he said. Simultaneously, Mohd Afzanizam said efforts to boost productivity, build capacity and enhance economic resilience must be intensified to safeguard Malaysia's economic sovereignty. These measures will reinforce investor and business confidence, underpinned by pragmatic policies and the government's proactive response to emerging challenges, he said. "Nonetheless, the 19 per cent import tariff is expected to impact American consumers' purchasing power. "This may, in turn, dampen economic momentum in the US, the world's largest economy, which poses a potential risk to global economic growth in the coming years," he said. - BERNAMA
The Star
34 minutes ago
- The Star
Johor steps up monitoring, urges public to report sharp hikes in egg prices
JOHOR BARU: The Johor branch of the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry has urged the public to report any traders who drastically increase egg prices following the start of the subsidy restructuring today. Its director Lilis Saslinda Pornomo said monitoring efforts at business premises across the district would be further intensified to prevent profiteering. She said the operation involves 200 enforcement officers and 87 price monitoring officers, all working to ensure compliance. "I would like to remind traders not to arbitrarily raise prices, as enforcement officers and price monitors will carry out thorough investigations. "Therefore, I urge Johor consumers to continue lodging complaints so that firm action can be taken under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011,' she said when contacted by Bernama on Friday (Aug 1). Yesterday, the government announced the restructuring of chicken egg subsidies, to take effect today (Aug 1), as part of a phased and targeted subsidy approach aimed at greater sustainability and higher impact. The Agriculture and Food Security Ministry, in a statement, said that the industry had agreed to introduce Special Grade Eggs, which will be offered at more affordable prices to consumers. On July 22, Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu reportedly said that the reduction in egg subsidies - from 10 sen to 5 sen per egg, effective May 1 - was expected to save the government RM135mil over a three-month period, ahead of the complete removal of price controls on eggs, which takes effect today. - Bernama
The Sun
34 minutes ago
- The Sun
Malaysia's 13MP to boost high-value growth, sustain trade surplus
KUALA LUMPUR: The government expects Malaysia's trade surplus to remain robust under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), driven by high-value industries and economic diversification, said Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan. He noted that while imports will stay high to meet development needs, Malaysia's long-standing trade surplus and current account surplus position the economy for stability. 'The trade balance is always in our favour. By developing new industries and investing in high-value sectors, we can increase output and sustain our surplus,' he said after appearing on Bernama TV's 'Ruang Bicara' programme. Amir Hamzah stressed that 13MP aims to enhance competitiveness through structural shifts into AI, digitalisation, and green technology. 'If we stagnate, others will overtake us. Economic complexity will create high-skilled jobs, raise wages, and maintain our edge,' he added. On trade policy, he advocated pragmatism, urging a move away from outdated strategies. 'We must adapt. Past reliance on foreign labour for low-cost production is no longer viable. By upskilling locals and adopting technology, we can reduce dependency on foreign workers,' he explained. Despite global uncertainties, Malaysia's outlook remains positive, with the IMF revising GDP growth forecasts to 4.5%. 'This reflects confidence in our direction,' he said, highlighting 13MP's monitoring mechanisms to ensure effective execution. Projections show Malaysia's trade surplus hitting RM116.3 billion by 2030, with exports growing at 5.8% annually from 2026. - Bernama
