Latest news with #Anuar
The Sun
28-05-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
‘Stem decline of patriotism in youths'
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia risks becoming a fragmented society if the national education system fails to urgently address the declining sense of patriotism and unity among its youth, warned Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) senior lecturer Dr Anuar Ahmad. Reflecting on a recent online forum on patriotism hosted by UKM's Minda platform, Anuar said both panellists, former Mubarak president Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Rahman and historian Dr Sahul Hamid, agreed that patriotism in Malaysia today is worryingly low. 'If people have lost their pride in the country and no longer see the nation as a vital part of their lives, we risk weakening our nation-building process,' said Anuar. He said when citizens no longer feel connected to the nation emotionally or ideologically, the foundations of the country become vulnerable to disruption, with apathy towards laws, the monarchy and national identity. Citing figures from the Education Ministry's 2024 Education Development Plan, Anuar questioned the high equality index reported among students and teachers, with a score of 8.10 on average, deemed 'very satisfactory'. 'We are told that our education equality index is very high. But these numbers are difficult to interpret without knowing how the data was collected, the methodology used, or whether it was independently verified. 'A school with 99% Malay teachers will naturally report strong intra-community ties but that's not the same as national integration or equality across diverse groups.' He pointed out that this disparity between official data and ground reality is part of a deeper problem, where education policy does not reflect the socio-political and cultural fragmentation that exists. Anuar highlighted the increasing complexity of Malaysia's schooling landscape encompassing national, vernacular, international, religious and private schools, which has led to what he terms 'super diversity'. 'International schools in Malaysia now have more local students than foreign ones. This extreme diversity in our education system is a major challenge to building a common national identity.' While acknowledging that vernacular schools are protected by law and institutions, Anuar argued that the challenge is not their existence but how the nation manages diversity to produce a generation that is patriotic. 'We must ask ourselves how we can ensure that our children feel love and loyalty for the country when they grow up so separated by language, curriculum and school culture.' He criticised current educational priorities that focus primarily on exam results and individual success, sidelining national values like patriotism and unity. 'For years, our education discourse has revolved around academic achievement and teacher workloads, but rarely have we asked how education builds a strong, united nation.' Calling for a bold reset in the next national education blueprint, he proposed that patriotism, unity and self-worth be embedded not just in the curriculum but also in co-curricular activities and policies. 'We are starting a new education development plan. This is our opportunity. If we fail to strengthen these values now, in 10 years we may find ourselves with a generation that is technically skilled but emotionally detached from the nation. 'Our children are growing up in silos – Chinese schools with one ethos, religious schools with another. If we don't build a shared patriotic foundation, we risk becoming strangers in our own country.' Anuar urged educators and the government to treat patriotism and national unity as urgent priorities, not as an afterthought.
The Sun
27-05-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
UKM's Dr. Anuar Ahmad warns of declining patriotism in youth
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia risks becoming a fragmented society if the national education system fails to urgently address the declining sense of patriotism and unity among its youth, warned Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) senior lecturer Dr Anuar Ahmad. Reflecting on a recent online forum on patriotism hosted by UKM's Minda platform, Anuar said both panellists, former Mubarak president Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Rahman and historian Dr Sahul Hamid, agreed that patriotism in Malaysia today is worryingly low. 'If people have lost their pride in the country and no longer see the nation as a vital part of their lives, we risk weakening our nation-building process,' said Anuar. He said when citizens no longer feel connected to the nation emotionally or ideologically, the foundations of the country become vulnerable to disruption, with apathy towards laws, the monarchy and national identity. Citing figures from the Education Ministry's 2024 Education Development Plan, Anuar questioned the high equality index reported among students and teachers, with a score of 8.10 on average, deemed 'very satisfactory'. 'We are told that our education equality index is very high. But these numbers are difficult to interpret without knowing how the data was collected, the methodology used, or whether it was independently verified. 'A school with 99% Malay teachers will naturally report strong intra-community ties but that's not the same as national integration or equality across diverse groups.' He pointed out that this disparity between official data and ground reality is part of a deeper problem, where education policy does not reflect the socio-political and cultural fragmentation that exists. Anuar highlighted the increasing complexity of Malaysia's schooling landscape encompassing national, vernacular, international, religious and private schools, which has led to what he terms 'super diversity'. 'International schools in Malaysia now have more local students than foreign ones. This extreme diversity in our education system is a major challenge to building a common national identity.' While acknowledging that vernacular schools are protected by law and institutions, Anuar argued that the challenge is not their existence but how the nation manages diversity to produce a generation that is patriotic. 'We must ask ourselves how we can ensure that our children feel love and loyalty for the country when they grow up so separated by language, curriculum and school culture.' He criticised current educational priorities that focus primarily on exam results and individual success, sidelining national values like patriotism and unity. 'For years, our education discourse has revolved around academic achievement and teacher workloads, but rarely have we asked how education builds a strong, united nation.' Calling for a bold reset in the next national education blueprint, he proposed that patriotism, unity and self-worth be embedded not just in the curriculum but also in co-curricular activities and policies. 'We are starting a new education development plan. This is our opportunity. If we fail to strengthen these values now, in 10 years we may find ourselves with a generation that is technically skilled but emotionally detached from the nation. 'Our children are growing up in silos – Chinese schools with one ethos, religious schools with another. If we don't build a shared patriotic foundation, we risk becoming strangers in our own country.' Anuar urged educators and the government to treat patriotism and national unity as urgent priorities, not as an afterthought.
Borneo Post
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Nurul Izzah's 13-seat demand disregards local autonomy - STAR Sabah
Anuar KOTA KINABALU (May 26): Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (STAR Sabah) has expressed strong objections to recent remarks made by PKR Deputy President Nurul Izzah Anwar, who announced her party's intention to contest at least 13 seats in the upcoming 17th Sabah State Election (PRN17). STAR Sabah views this move as a direct challenge to the political autonomy of Sabah said its information chief, Anuar Ghani. He said the demand for 13 seats by a Peninsular-based party implies a continued perception of Sabah as a political colony, rather than an equal partner in the Malaysian Federation. This undermines the spirit of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), which affirms Sabah's right to determine its own political direction. According to Anuar, Sabah is not a testing ground for outside political machinery. The party further criticizes Nurul Izzah's statement regarding the deployment of campaign teams from Selangor, Johor and Penang to Sabah, calling it intrusive and disrespectful to local sentiments. 'Sabah is not a political laboratory for Peninsular parties,' said Anuar. 'Sending in outside machinery shows a lack of sensitivity and reinforces the perception that national parties continue to undermine local leadership.' STAR Sabah also questioned the basis for PKR's seats claim, noting that the party previously won only two out of the 10 seats it contested in the last Sabah State election. 'To now demand 13 seats despite such a record reflects not only overreach but a lack of understanding of Sabah's evolving political landscape,' Anuar added. Some Sabahans say, 'Big ambition, Tamaha juga!' The party stressed that PRN17 is a state election, not a general election, and that priority must be given to Sabah-based parties who have long worked at the grassroots level, understood local issues, and maintained consistent engagement with the people. STAR Sabah reaffirms the principle of Borneonisation – enshrined in the 1962 Inter-Governmental Committee (IGC) Report and the MA63 – as a guiding doctrine for Sabah's governance. 'The right to self-govern, especially in public administration, must logically extend to the political realm. Sabahans have the right to reject external political dominance and chart their own course' said Anuar. STAR Sabah challenged PKR to name the specific 13 seats they intend to contest. 'Are they targeting seats currently held by local parties? Sabahans deserve transparency. We must know whether these demands will come at the expense of local political strength' Anuar concluded. STAR Sabah urges all Sabahans to stand united and support local parties that are committed to protecting Sabah's rights, identity, and future within the Federation of Malaysia. The division and disunity at PKR national level politics is viewed with grave concern by the people of Sabah.
The Star
26-05-2025
- The Star
QuickCheck: Are fake invitational haj visa offers being promoted on social media?
The haj quota for Malaysia this year is 31,600, which is 10,000 more than last year. However, according to the Pilgrims' Fund Board (Tabung Haji), they received 85,000 applications to perform the haj this year. With the high demand for haj visas, some unscrupulous parties are offering fake invitational haj visas (Mujamalah Visas) on social media. Is this true? Verdict: TRUE According to Tabung Haji there had been a rise in fraudulent offers of Mujamalah Visas on various social media platforms, including Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram. Its director (Haj Operators), Anuar Ahmad, advised those who obtain the visa to register and perform the pilgrimage through any of the 37 haj operators licensed by Tabung Haji under Section 28 of the Tabung Haji Act 1995 (Act 535) to safeguard their welfare and ensure a smooth pilgrimage. "If the Mujamalah Visa is offered by a company or individual not listed among the 37 licensed PJHs, it poses a big risk. "Tabung Haji does not know the capabilities of the parties concerned, the location of the pilgrims' accommodation, nor the form of service that will be provided. What's more concerning is that these parties are not subject to any supervision or monitoring by Tabung Haji," he said when met by the media here recently. Anuar said that only agencies registered under Tabung Haji are allowed to manage Malaysian haj pilgrims to ensure every stage of the pilgrimage runs smoothly and to avoid any risk of fraud or abuse. "Therefore, we urge the public not to be easily deceived by dubious haj offers, especially those offering prices that are too cheap or too expensive. Avoid making any advance payments or deposits without official confirmation from Tabung Haji," he said. Anuar said that the Saudi Arabian government has the sole prerogative of issuing Mujamalah Visas, which fall outside Malaysia's official haj quota. He also assured that Tabung Haji would minitor the operations of the 37 haj operators licensed for this year's haj season, compared to 25 last year. "Haj operators' licenses are only issued after going through a strict application and assessment process by TH. They are valid for one haj season only, with no guarantee of automatic renewal in the following year. "Therefore, each haj operator must maintain a consistently high level of service," he said. According to him, to date, 28.3% of pilgrims in the official quota chose to perform the haj pilgrimage through haj operators, with the rest performing the pilgrimage under the management of muassasahs (Tabung Haji). However, he said, every pilgrim is required to first receive an official offer letter from Tabung Haji before choosing the haj package. – Bernama
Barnama
26-05-2025
- Barnama
Beware Of Fake Mujamalah Visa Offers On Social Media
From Nurliyana Farhah Ruslan MAKKAH, May 26 (Bernama) -- The Pilgrims' Fund Board or Tabung Haji (TH) takes seriously the rise in fraudulent offers of Mujamalah Visas, which are now actively being promoted by irresponsible parties through various social media platforms, including Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram. Its Director (Haj Operators - PJH), Anuar Ahmad, advised those who obtain the visa to register and perform the pilgrimage through any of the 37 PJHs licensed by Tabung Haji under Section 28 of the Tabung Haji Act 1995 (Act 535) to safeguard their welfare and ensure a smooth pilgrimage. 'If the Mujamalah Visa is offered by a company or individual not listed among the 37 licensed PJHs, it poses a big risk. 'TH does not know the capabilities of the parties concerned, the location of the pilgrims' accommodation, nor the form of service that will be provided. What's more concerning is that these parties are not subject to any supervision or monitoring by TH,' he said when met by the media here recently. Anuar said that only agencies registered under TH are allowed to manage Malaysian haj pilgrims to ensure every stage of the pilgrimage runs smoothly and to avoid any risk of fraud or abuse. 'Therefore, we urge the public not to be easily deceived by dubious haj offers, especially those offering prices that are too cheap or too expensive. Avoid making any advance payments or deposits without official confirmation from TH,' he said. Anuar said that the issuance of Mujamalah Visas is the sole prerogative of the Saudi Arabian government and falls outside Malaysia's official haj quota. He also assured that TH would continue to strengthen comprehensive monitoring of the operations of the 37 PJHs licensed for this year's haj season, compared to 25 PJHs last year, to ensure that the welfare of Malaysian pilgrims in the Holy Land is always safeguarded.
