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Free Malaysia Today
5 days ago
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Minister denies influx of students from China in public varsities
Higher education minister Zambry Abdul Kadir tells MPs like Wee Ka Siong to engage in direct discussions and seek constructive dialogue instead of politicising such issues in Parliament. GEORGE TOWN : Higher education minister Zambry Abdul Kadir has denied allegations that an influx of students from China is limiting opportunities for local students to enter public universities in Malaysia. He said the claim that foundation programmes at public universities were filled with such Chinese students is not true and that the government has never sacrificed local student quotas to make room for international students for the sake of greater profits. 'We have never compromised on the policies set by the Central University Admission Unit (UPU). The priority at public institutions of higher learning is always Malaysian students, because these institutions are meant to provide education for Malaysians first. 'It is not true that we are denying local students their rights. We have never sacrificed the UPU-set quota,' he told reporters after opening a symposium at the Setia Spice Convention Centre in Bayan Lepas today. He was responding to a statement made in Parliament yesterday by MCA president Wee Ka Siong, who claimed that more students from China, compared to Malaysians, were gaining admission into public universities because they could afford it. Zambry said Malaysia hosts international students from more than 150 countries, including in private institutions of higher learning, in line with its internationalisation policy. 'They choose Malaysia because they trust our education system. Previously, they may have opted for Western countries, but due to increased geopolitical tensions and competition, they've turned to Malaysia instead.' He also described such allegations as causing unnecessary public anxiety and fuelling polemics that bring no benefit to the country. Zambry urged those with questions on the matter, including parliamentarians, to engage in direct discussions and seek constructive dialogue instead of politicising such issues in Parliament. 'I don't want to see the creation of polemics that only do harm. When we make baseless accusations, we stir up unnecessary concerns.'
Malay Mail
6 days ago
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Zambry refutes claims that Chinese students are limiting local access to public universities, insists Malaysian students remain priority
GEORGE TOWN, Aug 7 — Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir today refuted allegations that an influx of students from China is limiting opportunities for local students to enter public universities in Malaysia. He said it is not true that the government is admitting Chinese nationals into foundation programmes of public universities at the expense of local students for the sake of profits. 'We have never compromised on the policies set by the Central University Admission Unit (UPU). The priority at public institutions of higher learning (IPTA) is always Malaysian students, because IPTAs are meant to provide education for Malaysian children first. 'It is not true that we are denying local students their rights. We have never sacrificed the UPU-set quota,' he told reporters after opening the IEEE International Symposium on the Physical and Failure Analysis of Integrated Circuits (IPFA) 2025 at the Setia Spice Convention Centre in Bayan Lepas today. He was responding to a statement made in Parliament yesterday by MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong, who claimed that more students from China are gaining admission into public universities because they can afford it, compared to Malaysians. Zambry said Malaysia hosts international students from more than 150 countries, including in private institutions of higher learning, in line with its internationalisation policy. 'They choose Malaysia because they trust our education system. Previously, they may have opted for Western countries, but due to increased geopolitical tensions and competition, they've turned to Malaysia instead,' he said. He also described such allegations as causing unnecessary public anxiety and fuelling polemics that bring no benefit to the country. As such, he urged anyone with questions on the matter, including Members of Parliament, to engage in direct discussions and seek constructive dialogue instead of politicising the issue in Parliament. 'I don't want to see the creation of polemics that only do harm. When we make baseless accusations, we stir up unnecessary concerns,' he said. — Bernama
Free Malaysia Today
05-08-2025
- Free Malaysia Today
Ex-factory worker charged with stealing RM1.15mil worth of computer chips
Ruhaizzat Rusol was charged with stealing five boxes of Xilinx Virtex UltraScale chips belonging to Jabil Circuit Sdn Bhd at around 3.30pm on April 26. (File pic) GEORGE TOWN : A former factory store worker was charged with stealing computer chips worth over RM1.15 million from his former employer, a multinational firm in Bayan Lepas. Ruhaizzat Rusol, 33, pleaded not guilty to the charge at the magistrates' court in Balik Pulau today. He was charged with stealing five boxes of Xilinx Virtex UltraScale chips belonging to Jabil Circuit Sdn Bhd at around 3.30pm on April 26. The chips are high-performance computer components used in critical systems such as data centres, telecom networks, and defence technology. The theft allegedly took place in a locked and fenced store at the company's Plant 2 facility in Bayan Lepas. Ruhaizzat was charged with theft under Section 380 of the Penal Code, which carries a jail term of up to 10 years and a possible fine upon conviction. Deputy public prosecutor R Lushani proposed bail of RM10,000 with one surety, citing the high value of the stolen items. She also requested that Ruhaizzat surrender his passport. Ruhaizzat's lawyer, Edmund Hermon from the National Legal Aid Foundation, asked for a lower bail amount, saying his client now works as an e-hailing driver and supports his mother. Ruhaizzat meanwhile told the court that he did not have a passport. Magistrate Chia Huey Ying set bail at RM7,000 with one surety and fixed Sept 25 for the submission of documents and appointment of a defence counsel.
Malay Mail
02-08-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
Chow Kon Yeow: Penang's RM296m ‘GBS By The Sea' hub fully occupied by global tech firms
GEORGE TOWN, Aug 2 — Penang continued to cement its status as a global business and technology hub with the official launch of 'GBS By The Sea', a landmark RM296 million development located in Technoplex Bayan Lepas. Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow hailed the project as a bold statement and a clear example of Penang's transition into a knowledge-based, innovation-driven economy. He said GBS By The Sea is the fourth project under the global business services (GBS) initiative, spanning 290,000 square feet (sq ft) of space. 'The GBS By The Sea facility is already fully occupied, with three global industry leaders, namely Advanced Micro Devices Global Services (AMD), Celestica Platform and Cloud Solutions Malaysia and the Microsoft Knowledge Capital Centre. 'These global companies are not only investing in Penang, but they are also creating over 1,000 quality jobs for our local talent in areas like research and development (R&D), engineering, digital services and more. These are the kind of high-value, future-ready jobs that we want for Penangites,' he said during the GBS By The Sea launching ceremony in Bayan Lepas today. Also present at the ceremony were State Infrastructure, Transport and Digital Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari, Majlis Bandaraya Pulau Pinang (MBPP) Mayor Datuk A Rajendran and Penang Development Corporation (PDC) chief executive officer Datuk Aziz Bakar. Chow elaborated that the facility is not just a workplace but also equipped with a gym, cafeteria and a six-storey car park with 800 bays. He emphasised that GBS would play a vital role in Penang's next chapter, moving from being a manufacturing hub to becoming a knowledge-based and tech-forward economy. 'Projects like GBS By The Sea help us make that transition not just in words, but in real ways that matter to businesses and workers. 'With the announcement of 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), which puts a strong focus on the transition to 'Made by Malaysia' and aims for higher growth and higher value creation, GBS By The Sea fits perfectly into this big picture — it's local, it's future-focused, and it brings value,' he said. Chow also announced that PDC is already working on its fifth GBS project, namely 'GBS at Technoplex', a RM500 million development offering over 400,000 sqft of space. He said that even though construction has not been completed, 16 per cent of the building has already been pre-booked by tenants, reflecting strong demand and high confidence in Penang's potential. — Bernama
Malay Mail
02-08-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
US tariff cut a relief but Miti must fight on for SME protection, says Penang chief minister
GEORGE TOWN, Aug 2 — The tariff reduction for Malaysia, from 25 per cent to 19 per cent, is seen as a good step forward and comes as a positive achievement and a relief for many, said Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow. The chief minister said that small and medium enterprises (SMEs) might remain exposed in the new tariff environment, and hoped that the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (Miti) would continue negotiating for better deals for these businesses. 'We hope Miti will continue negotiating better deals and prepare for the possible impact, especially on our small and medium industries (SMEs), who may be more exposed in this new environment,' he told reporters at the GBS By The Sea launching ceremony in Bayan Lepas here, today. Chow said that the current exemptions remained in place for now, but expects the situation to become clearer by the end of the year. He highlighted that Penang accounted for about 55 per cent of Malaysia's electrical and electronics (E&E) exports, highlighting the state's vital contribution to the national economy and reinforcing the urgency for strategic trade negotiations. It was reported earlier that the US would impose a reduced 19 per cent tariff on Malaysian imports, effective Aug 1, 2025. On July 7, Washington announced a 25 per cent tariff on all Malaysian products entering the US, in addition to existing sectoral tariffs, effective Aug 1 this year. This figure was one percentage point higher than the tariff rate announced in April. Meanwhile, on the Penang-Perak water project, Chow said negotiations with the Perak state authority would commence soon. 'We are working pretty well. Negotiations with Perak will begin very soon, followed by the implementation of the project. The target is by 2030 to 2031,' he said. Chow added that the additional water supply would be crucial for supporting the Penang Development Corporation (PDC)'s efforts to open new areas for industrial development. The chief minister also highlighted that Penang remained on a strong growth trajectory, driven by positive investment sentiment, including both new investments and expansions. 'We are currently focused on expanding our industrial parks. Recently, I announced that we have sufficient industrial land for the next five years. 'But sometimes, we may speak too soon. When one or two large investors come in with big land requirements, we have to work even harder to ensure the land is ready,' he said. — Bernama
