logo
RM500,000 campaign to boost Chinese education in Sabah

RM500,000 campaign to boost Chinese education in Sabah

Daily Express17-05-2025
Published on: Saturday, May 17, 2025
Published on: Sat, May 17, 2025 Text Size: A RM500,000 fundraising campaign was launched today at SJKC Chung Hwa to support Chinese education in Sabah. Running from May 16 to July 15, the campaign is a joint effort by the Sabah SJKC Principals Association, Chinese Schools Teachers Association, and Retired Principals and Headmasters Association.
Advertisement Special Officer to the Chief Minister, Yee Tsai Yiew, officiated the launch, urging public support. "Funds will help sustain and improve educational programs across Sabah's 83 Chinese primary schools, which serve over 35,000 students," she said. Yiew praised the long-standing contributions of Chinese schools to nation-building and noted the increasing enrolment of non-Chinese students. She also extended Teacher's Day appreciation to all educators in the state. * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.
Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Voice of doubt in Nvidia's H20 chips grows louder in China
Voice of doubt in Nvidia's H20 chips grows louder in China

The Star

time39 minutes ago

  • The Star

Voice of doubt in Nvidia's H20 chips grows louder in China

US chip giant Nvidia faces increasing mistrust in China over its H20 chips, after the company secured a licence from Washington to export the tailor-made processors by agreeing to pay 15 per cent of its revenues to the US government. On Sunday, a Chinese state media outlet labelled Nvidia's H20 chip as unsafe and urged Chinese buyers to boycott the artificial intelligence processors designed for the Chinese market. Despite Nvidia's repeated denials of 'back-door' vulnerabilities, Yuyuan Tantian, associated with state broadcaster China Central Television, said the H20 chip could not be trusted because of the US government's alleged efforts to embed 'back doors' in the chips. 'When a chip is neither environmentally friendly nor advanced or safe, as consumers, we certainly have the option not to buy it,' the outlet said in a commentary. It suggested that the H20 chip could be remotely controlled through hardware and software exploits, citing Washington's attempts in 1992 to implement surveillance via chip back doors and a recent bill proposed in May requiring US chipmakers to incorporate tracking features. Nvidia's chief security officer David Reber Jnr published a blog post last week titled: 'There are no back doors in Nvidia chips. No kill switches. No spyware.' Chinese state media's allegations come as the US Department of Commerce has begun issuing licences to Nvidia for exporting H20 chips to China. Nvidia and rival Advanced Micro Devices agreed to pay the US government 15 per cent of their revenues from chip sales to China as part of a deal with the Trump administration to secure export licences, the Financial Times reported on Sunday. Yuyuan Tantian's article reflects Nvidia's struggle to establish trust in China, which accounted for 13 per cent of its revenues in the last financial year despite escalating technology rivalry between Beijing and Washington. Last month, the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) summoned Nvidia for discussions about the risks associated with potential tracking and remote control functions of its H20 chips. In an opinion piece titled 'How can we trust you, Nvidia?' earlier this month, the People's Daily, the official newspaper of the Central Committee of the Communist Party, called on the US chipmaker to provide proof of its security measures to regain the trust of Chinese customers. In response, Nvidia said it 'does not have 'back doors' in our chips that would give anyone a remote way to access or control them'. The H20, an AI graphics processing unit released by Nvidia last year specifically for China to comply with US export restrictions, has become a focal point in the tech war between the two countries after Washington lifted a sales ban on the chip last month. While the resumption of H20 sales is expected to provide a near-term boost to China's AI development, Nvidia faces challenges amid Beijing's scrutiny and a push from domestic firms to adopt home-grown processors, such as those developed by Huawei Technologies. The CAC's review served partly 'as a reminder to domestic firms to avoid over-reliance on a single chip and to always be prepared to use alternatives', Chinese semiconductor research firm ICwise said in a note last week, which has since been deleted. The firm also said that China's interest in the H20 chip was likely to 'continue to wane' as the country's chip sector advanced. - SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST

Russia makes sudden advance in Ukraine before Trump-Putin summit, maps show
Russia makes sudden advance in Ukraine before Trump-Putin summit, maps show

The Star

time3 hours ago

  • The Star

Russia makes sudden advance in Ukraine before Trump-Putin summit, maps show

A still image, taken from footage released by the Russian Defence Ministry, shows what it said to be a Russian soldier raising a flag following the capture of Ukraine's Yablunivka (Yablonovka) settlement in the Donetsk region in the course of Russia-Ukraine military conflict, in this image from video released August 12, 2025. Russian Defence Ministry/Handout via REUTERS MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian forces have made a sudden thrust into eastern Ukraine near the coal mining town of Dobropillia, a move that may be designed to increase the pressure on Kyiv to cede land as the U.S. and Russian presidents prepare to meet. Ukraine's authoritative DeepState war map showed on Tuesday that Russian forces had advanced by at least 10 km (six miles) north in two prongs in recent days, part of their drive to take full control of Ukraine's Donetsk region. The advance is one of the most dramatic in the last year. DeepState said the Russians had surged forward near three villages on a section of the frontline associated with the Ukrainian towns of Kostyantynivka and Pokrovsk, which Moscow is trying to encircle, exploiting Kyiv's lack of manpower. "The situation is quite chaotic, as the enemy, having found gaps in the defence, is infiltrating deeper, trying to quickly consolidate and accumulate forces for further advancement," DeepState said on its Telegram channel. U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are expected to discuss a possible deal to end the war in Ukraine when they meet in Alaska on Friday. Unconfirmed media reports say Putin has told Trump he wants Ukraine to hand over the part of the Donetsk region that Russia does not control. There was no immediate comment on the advance from Moscow. Ukrainian military spokesperson Viktor Trehubov said only small groups were penetrating defensive lines, and that this did not amount to a breakthrough. Pasi Paroinen, a military analyst with the Finland-based Black Bird Group, said the situation had escalated rapidly, with Russian forces infiltrating past Ukrainian lines to a depth of roughly 17 km (10 miles) during the past three days. "Forwardmost Russian units have reportedly reached the Dobropillia – Kramatorsk road T0514 and Russian infiltration groups have also been reported near Dobropillia proper," he wrote on X. RUSSIA MAY GAIN LEVERAGE FOR TRUMP TALKS Tatarigami_UA, a former Ukrainian army officer whose Frontelligence Insight analysis tracks the conflict, posted: "In both 2014 and 2015, Russia launched major offensives ahead of negotiations to gain leverage. The current situation is serious, but far from the collapse some suggest." Sergei Markov, a former Kremlin adviser, said the Russians had been able to advance due to "a partial collapse in the front" due to Ukraine's shortage of soldiers. Ukraine has redeployed elite forces to try to thwart the advance, Russia's Interfax news agency and Ukrainian war bloggers reported. "This breakthrough is like a gift to Putin and Trump during the negotiations," Markov said, suggesting it could increase pressure on Kyiv to cede some land to prevent the Russian army eventually taking the rest of Donetsk by force. To do that, though, Russian forces would first need to take control of Sloviansk, Kramatorsk, Druzhkivka and Kostiantynivka - four places Russian military analysts call "fortress cities". Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has publicly pushed back against the idea of ceding territory to Russia, saying any peace deal must be a just one. Bohdan Krotevych, former chief of staff of Ukraine's Azov brigade and a National Guard lieutenant colonel, took to X late on Monday to warn Zelenskiy of the threat, saying the frontline in the area was "a complete mess". "The line of combat engagement as a fixed line does not actually exist," he said. (Reporting by Andrew Osborn in Moscow; Additional reporting by Dan Peleschuk in Kyiv; Editing by Kevin Liffey)

MIC at a crossroads: Time to reclaim relevance
MIC at a crossroads: Time to reclaim relevance

Focus Malaysia

time3 hours ago

  • Focus Malaysia

MIC at a crossroads: Time to reclaim relevance

AS MALAYSIA edges closer to its 16th General Election (GE16), the Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) finds itself at a critical political juncture. Once a dominant voice for the Indian community within Barisan Nasional (BN), MIC now appears increasingly adrift by lacking clear messaging, decisive leadership, and the strategic agility necessary for survival in a rapidly shifting political landscape. Recent developments in Kedah have raised eyebrows. MIC's local leaders have been signalling support for Perikatan Nasional (PN) through indirect channels, relying on non-Muslim wings and secondary-tier representatives to express political positions. While such moves may be attempts to test the waters, they also reveal a worrying absence of national-level coherence. This low-profile political posturing suggests a party unsure of its direction, grappling with identity, and failing to recognise the urgency of its situation. The contrast with the Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA) is striking. Like MIC, MCA has suffered heavy electoral losses and faces significant questions about its relevance. Yet, unlike MIC, MCA has maintained an active, visible presence in public discourse. Its leadership continues to issue timely statements, engage with community concerns, and assert the party's stance on national issues. While results have been mixed, this strategy has preserved MCA's leverage within BN and positioned it more favourably in ongoing seat negotiations. Visibility matters, especially as coalitions prepare for GE16. Seat allocations are expected to be based on incumbency, perceived electability, and party relevance. MCA's willingness to speak up, even symbolically, grants it political currency. MIC, by contrast, seems content with silence or ambiguous positioning, a dangerous miscalculation at a time when political capital is earned through engagement, not deference. The problem goes deeper than just poor communication. MIC's reliance on indirect proxies to signal political intent shows an organisation out of touch with modern political dynamics. At a time when issues such as education, employment, minority rights, and equality before the law dominate the discourse among Indian Malaysians, MIC has failed to place itself at the forefront of these conversations. Meanwhile, major parties like UMNO, PKR, and DAP have consolidated their narratives around national unity, multiracial platforms, and economic reform. They shape the broader political terrain and influence coalition direction. MIC, with its narrowly ethnic appeal and outdated approach, risks becoming politically irrelevant if it continues to misread the moment. Crucially, MIC lacks a visible strategic brain trust. Rather than positioning itself as a robust voice for Indian Malaysians or a necessary coalition partner, it appears to be hedging its bets by quietly leaning toward PN in hopes of future favour or fallback relevance. This is not strategy; it's drift. Coalitions reward utility, not nostalgia or quiet loyalty. Without a strong electoral base or meaningful public engagement, MIC offers little to entice either its traditional partners or potential new allies. The allure of aligning with PN may seem tactically viable to some within MIC's ranks, especially in states where PN appears to have momentum. However, such a move is fundamentally flawed. The coalition's track record shows limited commitment to minority rights beyond symbolic gestures. Non-Malay support for PN remains low, and MIC's credibility could be seriously damaged if it is seen as abandoning its community's interests for uncertain political gain. Additionally, MIC risks alienating its current coalition allies. Public flirtation with PN, even if unofficial or regionally confined, sends mixed signals and projects weakness, not confidence. It suggests desperation rather than strategic foresight that a damaging perception ahead of high-stakes seat negotiations. GE16 presents a make-or-break moment. MIC cannot afford to continue operating as it has. It must reclaim its space through bold, coherent, and consistent public engagement. National leaders must speak directly to the electorate, articulate a vision for the Indian community, and engage in coalition politics from a position of strength, not subservience. The blueprint is clear. MIC should take a cue from MCA's approach through assertiveness, relevance, and public messaging. Even when symbolic, these efforts help a party remain visible and necessary. MIC must stop issuing endorsements through obscure platforms or relying on backchannels. Instead, it needs a reinvigorated public presence and a strategy that reflects the real concerns of Indian Malaysians. Education, economic empowerment, social justice, and equitable development are key areas where MIC can still make a difference. But this requires more than policy papers and closed-door meetings. It demands direct engagement with communities, strategic alliances, and clear communication from top-tier leadership. The party's historic legacy does not guarantee a future. Relevance must be earned, and time is running out. If MIC fails to recalibrate and if it continues to wait for recognition rather than claim its place, it risks being reduced to a political footnote. GE16 is not just another election cycle for MIC. It is, quite possibly, the final opportunity to prove that it still matters. Politics rewards those who adapt, communicate, and negotiate. For MIC, the silence and ambiguity of the present are not signs of strategy but they are symptoms of decline. It's time to reshape the narrative decisively and take swift, purposeful action. ‒ Aug 12, 2025 R Paneir Selvam is the principal consultant of Arunachala Research & Consultancy Sdn Bhd, a think tank specialising in strategic national and geopolitical matters. The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia. Main image: 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