Latest news with #Arifin
Daily Express
21-07-2025
- Daily Express
Mother urges fair probe into daughter's death at hostel
Published on: Monday, July 21, 2025 Published on: Mon, Jul 21, 2025 By: Hayati Dzulkifli Text Size: Arifin presents the contribution to Noraidah while others look on. SIPITANG: The mother of 13-year-old Zara Qairina, who died after being found with serious injuries beneath her school dormitory block, has urged for a transparent and fair investigation. Zara's mother, Noraidah Lamat, 45, said she had cooperated fully with the police and recorded her statement twice. Advertisement Noraidah, who is also a primary school teacher, told reporters that she could not comment further while police investigations involving her were still ongoing. Zara, her only child, had been eager to experience hostel life at her Islamic secondary boarding school in Papar, inspired by her mother's own school memories. Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Mohd Arifin Mohd Arif, who is also in charge of the State's education matters, and local leaders visited the family home in Mesapol on Monday to offer condolences and deliver contributions, while police continue their inquiry into the case. During the visit, Arifin presented a mock cheque for RM10,000 from the Sabah State Education Fund (TPNS) and also gave a personal contribution to Noraidah. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * 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
Daily Express
20-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
Over 4,000 students to benefit from Sabah scholarship boost
Published on: Sunday, July 20, 2025 Published on: Sun, Jul 20, 2025 Text Size: Arifin and others with some of the aid recipients. - Pic by CMD KOTA KINABALU: The State Government has allocated a record RM136 million this year under the Sabah State Government Scholarship (BKNS) to strengthen access to higher education. Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said this marked a significant increase from RM50 million in 2020, reflecting the government's commitment to supporting Sabahans regardless of socio-economic background. Advertisement Hajiji, in a speech delivered by State Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Mohd Arifin Mohd Arif at the Sentosa aid presentation ceremony at UMS on Sunday, said 4,170 students will benefit from the BKNS this year in line with the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) policy. He added that RM77.5 million has been allocated for 13 education aid initiatives in 2024, including Budi, Baik, Semesta and GRS-Subfly, while Yayasan Sabah and Muis also contributed significantly through separate programmes. At the same event, over 600 students from UMS and Kolej Mahsa Sabah received a one-off RM300 cash aid under the Sentosa initiative, aimed at easing basic expenses for nearly 20,000 Bumiputera students in local institutions. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * 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
Borneo Post
13-07-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Three Keningau Vocational College students receive 'Golden Hand' award
Lyeo (second right) receiving the award from Arifin. KOTA KINABALU (July 13): Three students of Keningau Vocational College received the 'Golden Hand' award at the 2025 KV Skills of Sabah and Federal Territory of Labuan Zone. They are Lyeo Alexander Jumani (97%), Nurul Fitriyani Izwani Abdul Mutalip (94.41%) and Wilson Fung Wei Sheng (92.4%) who are first-place winners in their respective categories: automotive technology, electrical circuit installation and pastry. All of them emerged as the overall champion by winning first place in six categories: electrical circuit installation, automotive technology, floor and wall tiling, beauty therapy, cooking and pastry. These six gold medals were complemented by two silver and two bronze medals. The 'Golden Hand' award is an exclusive prize presented at skills competitions to participants who achieve top-tier scores of 90% and above. The awards were presented by the Sabah Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Datuk Dr Mohd Ariffin Mohd Arif, during the opening and closing ceremony held at KVC's main hall on July 10. The 2025 KV Skills of Sabah and Federal Territory of Labuan Zone, held from July 5 to 10, was hosted by KVC and it featured 15 categories involving various vocational programmes offered at vocational colleges in the region. KV Skills is an annual skills competition among vocational colleges nationwide. It is one of the initiatives taken by the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Division of the Ministry of Education Malaysia that aims to strengthen skill-based technical education. KVC director Lumang anak Lang, expressed his gratitude and delight with this year's organization of KV Skills, praising the cooperation and dedication shown by the committee members, as well as the commitment of the participants and trainers in giving their best in each competition category. He hopes that the fighting spirit of vocational college communities, particularly in the Sabah zone and the Federal Territory of Labuan, will remain strong in producing skilled, efficient, and capable TVET graduates.
Daily Express
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Daily Express
Sabah Government mulls free tertiary education
Published on: Wednesday, July 09, 2025 Published on: Wed, Jul 09, 2025 By: Crystal E Hermenegildus Text Size: Arifin also highlighted a new initiative to reward academic excellence. A total of 146 STPM students across Sabah who scored a perfect 4.0 CGPA were given RM1,000 each, while one exceptional student, Daniel Hakimi Roland of SMK Kota Klias in Beaufort, who was named National Top STPM Student, received RM3,000 in recognition. Kota Kinabalu: The Sabah Government is currently conducting a study on the feasibility of offering full education coverage for Sabah students, including free higher education, said State Science, Technology and Innovation minister Datuk Dr Mohamad Arifin Arif. He said while primary and secondary education in Sabah has long been free, the government is exploring whether similar support can be extended to the tertiary level. 'We are conducting a study on this matter,' said Arifin during the recent State Assembly sitting. 'Some institutions have already been offering full scholarships, such as the Industrial Training and Learning Programme (ILTP) under the Human Resource Development Department (JPSM), which covers diploma-level training,' he said. He added that many Sabah students currently enrolled in Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) are already supported by either State Government scholarships, Yayasan Sabah or other education funds provided by the State. Arifin was responding to a question from Lamag Assemblyman Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin, who asked whether Sabah would follow Sarawak's move to provide free university education and RM15,000 annual allowances to students from low-income families. Bung Moktar urged the Sabah Government to consider a similar approach to ease the financial burden of parents and ensure equal access to higher education. In response to a follow-up question by Nominated Assemblywoman Datuk Amisah Yassin regarding Budi recipient from Ranau and incentives for high-performing students, Arifin revealed that 306 students from Ranau received the Budi education aid in 2024. These included 199 pursuing bachelor's degrees, 68 in diploma programmes, 16 in foundation (Asasi) studies and 23 in matriculation. 'So far in 2025, 29 Ranau students received Budi support,' he said. Arifin also highlighted a new initiative to reward academic excellence. A total of 146 STPM students across Sabah who scored a perfect 4.0 CGPA were given RM1,000 each, while one exceptional student, Daniel Hakimi Roland of SMK Kota Klias in Beaufort, who was named National Top STPM Student, received RM3,000 in recognition. 'This is a token of appreciation and encouragement for our students to strive for academic excellence,' Arifin said. Arifin also elaborated on the 13 education initiatives introduced under the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) Education programme, which are coordinated by the Deputy State Secretary's Office (Special Tasks). These include Budi – One-off cash aid for IPT registration, Bakti – Exam cash assistance, Baik – Computer assistance, BAGUS – Assistance for teachers and parents, BISBAH – School aid,AKSA – Excellence awards, BISTARI – Education savings aid, BANTU – Special education aid, BALKIS – Minor school repairs, SEMESTA – Student secretariat support, GRS-SUBFLY – Flight ticket subsidies, Sentosa – In-state student assistance, Sukses – One-off school activity aid. He said this in response to Amisah's question on how many education aid programmes have been distributed under the SMJ Education Initiative. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * 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
Daily Express
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Daily Express
Sabah mulls free higher education, highlights ongoing student aid
Published on: Monday, July 07, 2025 Published on: Mon, Jul 07, 2025 By: Crystal E Hermenegildus Text Size: KOTA KINABALU: Sabah is studying the feasibility of providing free higher education to students, said Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Dr Mohamad Arifin Arif. Responding to calls from Lamag Assemblyman Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin, Arifin noted that while primary and secondary education is already free, the State is exploring tertiary-level support. Advertisement Existing programmes like BUDI and ILTP already provide aid and scholarships. In 2024, 306 students from Ranau benefited from BUDI, with 29 supported in 2025 so far. Arifin also highlighted incentives for top achievers and outlined 13 education initiatives under the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) programme. * Read full report in tomorrow's print paper or log in or sign up for e-paper and premium online news access. * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
