
Vertical schools in housing projects to help reduce transport costs
KUALA LUMPUR: The integration of a vertical school concept within the Rumah Bakat MADANI housing project in Penang is expected to enhance student safety and ease the transportation cost burden on families, said Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The Prime Minister said that incorporating educational elements into residential development is part of the MADANI Government's initiative to build compassionate neighbourhoods and foster community development based on MADANI values.
Anwar said this approach underscores the government's commitment to promoting holistic well-being for the people, rather than focusing solely on physical structures and architectural design.
'The planned vertical school element, integrated with the housing project, aims to ensure student safety, and I believe it can also help families save on transportation costs,' he said in a Facebook post today.
He also stressed that the MADANI Government places strong emphasis on expediting project approvals through collaboration across ministries, agencies and with the involvement of state governments.
Anwar said the project is an initiative involving private developer SkyWorld, aimed at enabling low- and middle-income groups to own affordable homes.
'I was informed that the development will also include essential infrastructure and comprehensive facilities such as schools and childcare centres, surau, commercial spaces, as well as landscaped areas and parks,' he said.
Earlier, the Prime Minister attended a presentation session on the project concept with the developer's representatives in Putrajaya.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Star
an hour ago
- The Star
Strengthening TVET reforms with commission set-up
MELAKA: A proposal to set up a Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) commission is being mulled, in line with the broader TVET reform agenda, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. The Prime Minister said the recommendation emerged from impressive achievements under the National TVET Council chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, including a notable rise in student participation. 'I appreciate the council's work and as someone monitoring progress first-hand, there are proposals worth considering, among them establishing a commission for TVET. 'We shall assess how swiftly this can be implemented given current developments,' he said when launching the National TVET Day 2025 celebration. 'With the number of students and types of training increasing, I will look into whether current facilities are adequate and how to create synergy between government-linked companies, private sector players and existing TVET institutions.' The Prime Minister also underscored TVET's pivotal role in creating a skilled workforce capable of meeting future industrial needs. He said TVET graduates deserve a better starting salary, reflecting their skills and strong employability. 'Previously, we set the minimum wage at RM1,700. But for TVET fields with employment rates of up to 98%, such a salary is inadequate. 'We aim to increase the starting pay to RM3,000 where feasible,' he said, adding the adjustment would reflect deserved recognition by multinational and local companies. Anwar also said an additional RM40mil has been announced for the National TVET Council, along with RM10mil in aid for Melaka's TVET entrepreneurship initiatives. 'It is crucial for students to seize this opportunity to contribute to national development. 'Unlike many of our neighbours, Malaysia is one of the few nations that provides such strong support, financial and otherwise, for TVET students,' said the Prime Minister. The three-day National TVET Day includes nine sectoral exhibitions ranging from transportation, aerospace and electronics to agriculture, construction and services, with over 60 employers offering some 5,000 job opportunities.

The Star
an hour ago
- The Star
Record deals since Merdeka
Engaging the youth: Anwar greeting students at the 2025 National TVET Day celebration in MITC, accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. — Bernama MELAKA: Malaysia has approved investments amounting to RM89.8bil in the first quarter of this year, the largest amount for this time period since Merdeka, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. The Prime Minister said that this figure was a 3.7% increase compared to the same period last year, signalling strong investor confidence even as global supply chains and investments are being affected by tariffs imposed by the United States. 'This figure also demonstrates that our economy remains resilient and competitive despite global turbulence and economic uncertainty, including the imposition of tariffs by the United States,' he said during his keynote address at the 2025 National TVET Day celebration held at the Melaka International Trade Centre (MITC) in Ayer Keroh yesterday. Anwar also revealed that a major US-based chip manufacturer had recently expressed interest in investing RM10bil in Malaysia. 'In principle, we have agreed to the proposal, but we have asked the American company to hold until July 9 when President Trump is expected to finalise the new tariff rates,' he said. 'However, the investors indicated they are still keen to proceed, confident that Malaysia will not be significantly affected by the tariffs.' Anwar said that the company had requested expedited approval to begin operations in the country. 'Beyond political stability, foreign investors have also been impressed by the professionalism and discipline of our local workforce. 'This sentiment was echoed in a recent meeting with Google, where they acknowledged that Malaysia's talent pool is among the best in Asia in terms of discipline and skill,' he added. Anwar said the recent development also reinforces the fact that the government's clear policies, along with political stability, continue to position Malaysia as an attractive destination for global investment.


Free Malaysia Today
8 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Govt spent RM486,000 on Dr M's Japan trip, says Anwar
Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad discussed key regional and global issues at the Nikkei Future of Asia conference in Tokyo on May 30. (Facebook pic) MELAKA : The government covered nearly half a million ringgit in expenses for former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad's trip to Japan to attend the annual Nikkei conference last month, says Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. Anwar said the government allocated approximately RM486,000 for the visit after receiving a formal application from Mahathir. He explained that there were provisions which allowed former prime ministers to apply for government support for official travel. The government will grant the application if it is approved by the sitting prime minister. 'He applied, and I approved. I believe the delegation comprised around seven people,' Anwar told reporters here. 'I have people asking me why we (the government) paid for him. He is entitled to apply… and I decided to approve RM486,000 for him to go to Japan. 'I just don't want anyone to misunderstand (this) or have a negative perception. Despite his daily criticisms of the government, we still approved his (travel) application.' Anwar was speaking to reporters after an empowerment seminar and a closed-door meeting with PKR leaders. On May 30, Mahathir was reported to have attended and delivered a speech at the annual Nikkei Future of Asia conference, an event he had regularly attended over the years. In a Facebook post on May 31, the 99-year-old reflected on his long participation in the forum, which he said he had attended almost every year since its inception 30 years ago.