Latest news with #FMT
Daily Express
2 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Express
Malay teachers must reclaim role as community activists, says PN leader
Published on: Saturday, May 31, 2025 Published on: Sat, May 31, 2025 By: FMT Reporters Text Size: Bersatu's Saifuddin Abdullah said Malay teachers have long played a pivotal role in shaping national identity and in community leadership. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA: A Perikatan Nasional MP has urged Malay teachers to revive the historic role they played in activism that contributed significantly to the Malay independence movement, culture and politics. Saifuddin Abdullah said Malay teachers should serve as catalysts contributing ideas, community leaders and political activists to steer the nation's future. 'Historically, Malay teachers have provided crucial leadership and have taken management roles in political parties. 'Their involvement has enabled parties to reach their peak and played a key role in advancing the interests of the Malay community,' the Indera Mahkota MP said when delivering a keynote address at the Forum Pendidikan Melayu, organised by the Selangor Gabungan Pelajar Melayu Semananjung, at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. 'With teachers playing such key roles, they were known then as 'parti berjuang' (parties that led the struggle). Today, with fewer teachers involved, some parties have become 'parti berwang' (cash-rich parties).' Saifuddin, who heads the PN education bureau, also said teachers must be meaningfully involved in decision-making at all levels — from the schools right up to the education ministry. Advertisement To better support teachers, he proposed expanding the number of subject matter experts, increasing funding for education research, improving career schemes, and easing teacher workloads by hiring more support staff and clerical personnel. He added that these ideas were part of PN's education reform proposals, completed in March last year. They outline reforms in philosophy, policy, curriculum, technical and vocational education and training, digital technology, human capital development, governance, and broader stakeholder involvement by parents and alumni. * 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
2 days ago
- Business
- Daily Express
Esteel's RM31 billion project a vote of confidence in Sabah's future, says Hajiji
Published on: Saturday, May 31, 2025 Published on: Sat, May 31, 2025 By: FMT Reporters Text Size: Hajiji said Sabah is committed to creating a stable and investor-friendly environment to drive economic growth. Kota Kinabalu: Sabah chief minister Hajiji Noor has hailed the RM31 billion three-phase project by Esteel Enterprise Sabah Sdn Bhd as a major milestone for the state's economic development. He said it would generate jobs, foster innovation and support local businesses. Speaking at the launch of the project's Phase 1 at the Sabah International Convention Centre yesterday, Hajiji thanked Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Singapore-based Green Esteel Group for backing Sabah's industrial ambitions. 'This project is not merely a financial commitment. It is a vote of your confidence in our vision and in our capacity to foster growth and development,' he said in his speech. Hajiji added that the steel manufacturing plant, located in the Sipitang Oil and Gas Industrial Park (Sogip), is expected to create a wide range of 'ripple effects' in sectors such as green technology and local entrepreneurship. He said job creation must benefit Sabahans first and urged industry players to prioritise the training and upskilling of the local workforce. Advertisement 'I want all industry players to invest in the training and development of our local workforce and to comply with this fundamental requirement as a core principle of our commitment to local development,' he said. Hajiji also credited more than a dozen federal and state agencies for their role in fast-tracking approvals for the Esteel project and assured the group that their 'trust is well-placed'. 'Together, we have the potential to achieve remarkable outcomes, leading the way for growth and development,' he said. Hajiji reaffirmed that Sabah will maintain its investor-friendly stance, noting that the state has implemented policies to attract more investors. 'We are committed to creating a conducive environment that nurtures investments and fosters collaboration,' he said, adding that besides Sogip, the Kota Kinabalu Industrial Park has also seen increased tenancy over the past four years. Due to high investor demand, Hajiji said the state government had approved three new industrial parks in Kota Belud, Beaufort and Kudat under its Blue Economy 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
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ Kopitiam star, Mano Maniam dies, aged 79
KUALA LUMPUR: Veteran actor Mano Maniam, best known for playing Uncle Chan in the sitcom Kopitiam, has died. He was 79. His passing was confirmed by his brother Madi, according to FMT. Mano, who was well known in the local arts scene for his work as an actor, director, drama coach, voiceover artist, and writer, passed away in his apartment last night. Madi said they were unsure how Mano, who was living alone, died. The family is now making funeral arrangements and will provide details later. "He lived a full life. He valued his freedom but always stayed connected with us, with my family, his nephews and nieces," he said. Mano had been scheduled to receive an award this evening at an event in the city in recognition of his cultural contributions to the Indian community and Malaysian performing arts. "He was preparing for it and had his suit already laid out. This evening, he will be there in spirit," he said. Mano was a popular figure in the local theatre scene but rose to prominence when he took on the role of Uncle Chan in Kopitiam. The English-language sitcom, which also starred Douglas Lim, Rashid Salleh, Joanna Bessey, Lina Teoh, and Chew Kin Wah, aired on TV3 from 1999 to 2003. Madi said Mano continued to remain active, doing voiceover work and teaching acting.
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
Kopitiam star, Mano Maniam dies, aged 79
KUALA LUMPUR: Veteran actor Mano Maniam, best known for playing Uncle Chan in the sitcom Kopitiam, has died. He was 79. His passing was confirmed by his brother Madi, according to FMT. Mano, who was well known in the local arts scene for his work as an actor, director, drama coach, voiceover artist, and writer, passed away in his apartment last night. Madi said they were unsure how Mano, who was living alone, died. The family is now making funeral arrangements and will provide details later. "He lived a full life. He valued his freedom but always stayed connected with us, with my family, his nephews and nieces," he said. Mano had been scheduled to receive an award this evening at an event in the city in recognition of his cultural contributions to the Indian community and Malaysian performing arts. "He was preparing for it and had his suit already laid out. This evening, he will be there in spirit," he said. Mano was a popular figure in the local theatre scene but rose to prominence when he took on the role of Uncle Chan in Kopitiam. The English-language sitcom, which also starred Douglas Lim, Rashid Salleh, Joanna Bessey, Lina Teoh, and Chew Kin Wah, aired on TV3 from 1999 to 2003. Madi said Mano continued to remain active, doing voiceover work and teaching acting.
Free Malaysia Today
3 days ago
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Integrity and quality the key to media success, says FMT chairman
FMT executive chairman Nelson Fernandez says 'technology without content is meaningless'. PETALING JAYA : Media companies should focus on maintaining their integrity and building influence to remain relevant, says FMT executive chairman Nelson Fernandez. Fernandez said this would help companies survive in an industry witnessing stiffer competition and shrinking revenues. Nelson Fernandez ,FMT executive chairman. Media companies faced an uphill battle against the explosive growth of social media platforms, which had taken a lion's share of advertising revenue, he said. They should ensure that their priority remains on producing high quality content. 'We can have all the technology in the world but if you don't get your content right, nobody is going to come and pay attention to you or read you or watch you,' he said at a forum on media and nation-building, held in Cyberjaya on Thursday. Fernandez said that the key to earning the reader's trust lay in being accountable and honest about mistakes made. 'I don't profess to say that FMT does everything right. But if we ever make a mistake, we have no qualms in apologising and admitting that we did it wrong,' he said. 'This whole business of trust is something you earn.' 'We are not in this business to make money because there's not much money to be made. The only currency we have is influence,' he said Fernandez said social media had the power to create overnight sensations. However, 'technology without content is meaningless,' he said. 'We make sure that our content is uniquely Malaysian so that it appeals to our audience.' Khalid Ahmad, former chairman of TV3 and NSTP. Khalid Ahmad, former chairman of TV3 and NSTP, said that media companies should capitalise on the relatively inexpensive media tools to deliver compelling content. He said creativity is needed for a company to stand out in the media landscape. 'In the end, presentation is what matters.' Policy on social media Namanzee Harris, CEO of TV Al Hijrah, urged the government to draft a national policy on social media platforms to ensure local media companies are not held at the mercy of technology companies. Namanzee Harris, CEO of TV Al Hijrah. Namanzee was referring to TikTok's ban on 23 local media accounts in February (later lifted) after they reported on a sexual assault case involving a minor. Namanzee said the incident had exposed the dependence of media companies on social media platforms over which they have no control. 'The idea of needing to go directly to TikTok for answers is deeply concerning. Sustainability in the media sector can only be secured through structured national policy,' Namanzee said, pointing out that countries such as the United States, Indonesia and China were already taking proactive steps.
