logo
PA MAPPA XX run in Kuching draws 2,500 participants

PA MAPPA XX run in Kuching draws 2,500 participants

The Sun06-07-2025
KUCHING: The Public Service Department (JPA) successfully hosted the 20th Larian Majlis Amanat Perdana Perkhidmatan Awam (MAPPA XX) at Kuching South City Council Square (MBKS), attracting 2,500 participants.
The event marked Kuching as the third stop in the MAPPA XX series after Kuantan and Batu Kawan.
The run saw participation from civil servants and the local community across Sarawak. Flagged off by Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian at 6.30 am, the event featured three categories: 3 km, 5 km, and 10 km.
Dr Sim and senior officials from both federal and state civil services also took part in the 3 km Walkathon, demonstrating leadership and solidarity.
Beyond the run, attendees enjoyed booth exhibitions by government agencies, including the Pensions Division, Public Service Department, and Sarawak Health Department.
A Rahmah Sale was also held, offering affordable goods to the public. - Bernama
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

‘Mission impossible' for B40 East Malaysian students to enter top varsities, says MP
‘Mission impossible' for B40 East Malaysian students to enter top varsities, says MP

Free Malaysia Today

time5 hours ago

  • Free Malaysia Today

‘Mission impossible' for B40 East Malaysian students to enter top varsities, says MP

Bayan Baru MP Sim Tze Tzin said the government should treat STPM students more fairly in university admissions. KUALA LUMPUR : East Malaysian students from B40 families face an uphill battle to get into top university courses, a government MP said today. Sim Tze Tzin (PH-Bayan Baru) highlighted the big gap between the two main pre-university paths in Malaysia – Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) and the matriculation programme. 'If the students choose STPM, it is 'mission impossible' to get into a good university. 'This is because they basically have less than 3% chance to get into medicine, pharmacy or dentistry,' he said when debating the 13th Malaysia Plan in the Dewan Rakyat. Sim cited data showing very few STPM students from Sabah and Sarawak being admitted into medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, and law courses. In 2023, only 2.39% of medical students admitted came from STPM, with most coming from matriculation. He said nearly 72% of STPM students were from B40 families. 'We want social mobility. But they are stuck in STPM. They can't move. This is an issue of justice because B40 students from Sabah and Sarawak are dependent on STPM to achieve social mobilisation and higher education,' he said. Sim also pointed out that matriculation took nine months to complete while STPM required 18 months, giving matriculation students a quicker path to university. He urged the government to treat STPM students more fairly in university admissions. 'STPM is now the second or last choice for our children. It should be given a higher weightage for entrance into university,' he said. He also called for the creation of a task force to 'save STPM' and ensure a fairer system for all students. Last month, education minister Fadhlina Sidek dismissed calls to abolish the matriculation programme. She denied claims that it was inferior to the STPM examination and said matriculation remained a recognised pre-university pathway accepted by both local and international universities.

ASEAN must boost skills training collaboration for digital and green economy
ASEAN must boost skills training collaboration for digital and green economy

The Sun

time12 hours ago

  • The Sun

ASEAN must boost skills training collaboration for digital and green economy

KUALA LUMPUR: ASEAN must strengthen collaboration in skills training to prepare for the challenges of a digital and green economy, said Human Resources Minister Steven Sim. He warned that artificial intelligence, including ChatGPT 5.0, threatens traditional jobs, making skills-based training more crucial than ever. 'In an age when AI can do the thinking, the world still needs those who can build, repair, operate, communicate, supervise, organise - these are human and social elements requiring skills, competence and trust,' he said. Sim spoke at the ASEAN TVET Conference 2025, officiated by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur. He proposed three key measures: sharing training experiences, creating a common certification framework, and increasing investment in skills education. Malaysia has already opened its National Training Week to ASEAN participants, offering 72,000 free courses worth RM400 million to 3.5 million people. 'Malaysia aspires for ASEAN to be one of the most skilled regions in the world... when the geo-economics is unstable and unpredictable, we must be committed to building the future now,' Sim added. ASEAN secretary-general Dr Kao Kim Hourn, in a pre-recorded speech, called for TVET systems to drive innovation and inclusivity amid digital and green transitions. 'The convergence of digital innovation and the green transition is reshaping our economies, industries and labour markets,' he said. He urged stronger industry partnerships, green skills integration, and scalable training solutions for a low-carbon economy. The International Labour Organization's Kaori Nakamura-Osaka stressed the need for inclusive and accessible training as ASEAN economies evolve. 'No one can be left behind when it comes to accessing new training opportunities,' she said. The two-day ATVET 2025 conference, themed Advancing Digital and Green Transformations, gathered 1,500 delegates to discuss TVET's role in ASEAN's future. Organised by HRD Corp and the Skills Development Fund Corporation, the event is part of the ASEAN Year of Skills 2025 initiative. - Bernama

Over 4,100 Malaysian civil servants declared bankrupt since 2020, says deputy finance minister
Over 4,100 Malaysian civil servants declared bankrupt since 2020, says deputy finance minister

Malay Mail

time16 hours ago

  • Malay Mail

Over 4,100 Malaysian civil servants declared bankrupt since 2020, says deputy finance minister

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 13 — The Malaysian Department of Insolvency recorded 4,194 bankruptcy cases involving civil servants between 2020 and June 2025, about 0.3 percent of the nation's 1.6 million public sector workforce. Deputy Finance Minister Lim Hui Ying said the Credit Counselling and Debt Management Agency (AKPK) offers advisory services, financial management assistance and debt restructuring programmes for individuals facing serious financial difficulties. 'For new officers, the Public Service Department conducts the Mind Transformation Programme, which provides early exposure to personal financial management to ensure they can manage debt prudently. 'Civil servants are also bound by a rule requiring their net monthly salary to remain at least 40 percent of their gross income, to prevent them from falling into serious debt,' she said. She was responding to a question from Abdul Latiff Abdul Rahman (PN–Kuala Krai) on government measures to address the worrying trend of rising household debt, particularly among civil servants. As of March 2025, she said, Malaysia's household debt stood at RM1.65 trillion, or 84.3 percent of the GDP (Gross Domestic Product). 'However, it remains manageable at the macro level, as household financial assets over the same period amounted to RM3.45 trillion, 2.1 times higher than total debt,' she added. On housing, which is the largest component of household debt at 61.1 percent, Lim said the government has introduced various affordable housing schemes, including Residensi Madani and PR1MA, taking into account specific situations such as in Johor Bahru, where the cost of living is high. — Bernama

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store