Latest news with #KamalAshaari
The Star
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Poor conditions, safety concerns among reasons teachers' quarters unoccupied, says Fadhlina
KUALA LUMPUR: Unfavourable physical conditions and high maintenance costs were among the factors 17,524 units of teachers' quarters were unoccupied, says Fadhlina Sidek ( pic ). The Education Minister said a study by the ministry had also found that the quarters were sometimes located in unstrategic or unsafe areas, making them targets for theft and vandalism. 'The total number of teachers' quarters under the Education Ministry is 47,855 units. 'As of June 2025, out of this total, 31,004 units are occupied while 17,524 units remain unoccupied. 'From the number of unoccupied units, the Ministry has successfully optimised 673 quarters, which include 125 units with repurposed functions, 40 units for shared use, 58 units transferred in ownership, and 400 units leased to private agencies,' she said in a parliamentary written reply to Kamal Ashaari (PN-Kuala Krau). Kamal had asked the ministry to state the government's efforts in optimising teacher quarters in the country. Fadhlina said that for short-term solutions, the ministry is centralising residents living in teacher quarters with high vacancy rates to moderately occupied quarters. 'Vacated teacher quarters will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis to determine their suitability for optimisation through rental, leasing to interested parties, or recommended demolition if there is no demand, to curb social issues at these premises,' she said. She also said that the ministry is reviewing applications from Government-Linked Companies (GLCs) and Government-Linked Investment Companies (GLICs) to establish strategic collaborations to address issues related to unoccupied teachers' quarters, including refurbishing and optimising their usage. 'Following the Cabinet Memorandum (CM) on Nov 22, 2024, outlining the direction to optimize the use of unoccupied quarters, the ministry has received an application from the Home Ministry to explore the possibility of housing members and staff of agencies and departments in Education Ministry-owned unoccupied quarters. 'It is estimated that around 613 quarters will be jointly occupied by Home Ministry agencies and departments such as the police, National Anti-Drug Agency, and Malaysia Volunteer Department,' she added. In May, The Star reported that teachers had shared their concerns at having to live in poorly maintained quarters nationwide.
The Sun
7 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
PADU updates 30.4 million profiles with integrated data
KUALA LUMPUR: The Central Database System (PADU) has successfully integrated data from 204 government agencies, updating profiles for 30.4 million citizens and permanent residents as of June 2025. The Ministry of Economy (MOE) confirmed the system's role in refining subsidy distribution by identifying target groups more accurately. The ministry explained that PADU shifts from traditional income classifications (B40, M40, T20) to net disposable income (NDI) for better precision. 'NDI measures household income by deducting the Basic Expenditure of Decent Living (PAKW) from disposable income, ensuring a fairer assessment of living standards,' the MOE stated on Parliament's website. This adjustment addresses concerns raised by Kamal Ashaari (PN-Kuala Krau) regarding subsidy distribution accuracy. The ministry emphasised that PADU's data-sharing capability enhances policy planning and resource allocation. 'It reduces errors in beneficiary selection and improves monitoring,' the statement added. – Bernama
Borneo Post
7 days ago
- Business
- Borneo Post
Padu system uses integrated data to update 30.4 mln profiles as of June, says Economy Ministry
The Economy Ministry says that using the data from Padu enabled the government to identify target groups for intervention programmes, including subsidy distribution. – Bernama photo KUALA LUMPUR (July 23): The Central Database System (Padu) has integrated data from 204 agencies to update 30.4 million citizen and permanent resident profiles as of June 2025. The Ministry of Economy (MOE) said that using the data from Padu enabled the government to identify target groups for intervention programmes, including subsidy distribution. 'In principle, the government has proposed to change the method of identifying target groups from the B40, M40, and T20 household income categories to using net disposable income (NDI). 'This measures household income based on the difference between disposable income and the Basic Expenditure of Decent Living (PAKW), which refers to the total monthly expenses required by a household or individual to achieve a decent standard of living,' the ministry posted on the Parliament's website. MOE was responding to a question from Kamal Ashaari (PN-Kuala Krau) regarding the effectiveness of the Padu system in assisting with the fair and accurate distribution of subsidies. It said that sharing Padu data can improve policy planning and the implementation of programmes or projects while optimising the use of government resources. 'This aims to minimise inclusion and exclusion errors and enable better monitoring and evaluation processes,' it added. – Bernama Dewan Rakyat economy Ministry of Economy PADU subsidies
New Straits Times
21-07-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
National Defence Industry Policy to be presented to Cabinet next month, says Khaled
KUALA LUMPUR: The National Defence Industry Policy (NDIP) is in its final stages of preparation and is scheduled to be presented at a cabinet meeting next month, the Dewan Rakyat was told today. Defence Minister Datuk Seri Khaled Nordin said the ministry is finalising the policy as a strategic framework to enhance self-reliance, innovation, and technological advancement in the country's defence industry. He said the ministry firmly believes that self-reliant defence capabilities are fundamental to the nation's sovereignty, security, and independence, especially in the face of an increasingly challenging geopolitical landscape. "The ministry is currently developing and will continue to develop self-reliant defence capabilities with a focus on several key aspects, among them are the empowerment of the Defence Science and Technology Research Institute as a centre of excellence in Southeast Asia and the adoption of an integrated ecosystem approach in building science, technology, and innovation capabilities in defence. "This also includes the restructuring of the Malaysian Industry Council for Defence Enforcement and Security to Defence Industry Strategic Council to improve governance; the development of a comprehensive Industrial Collaboration Programme policy for the defence sector; and the establishment of a special purpose vehicle under the Armed Forces Fund Board to strengthen industrial development within the local defence ecosystem and to enhance ICP management," he said in reply to Kamal Ashaari (PN-Kuala Krau). He inquired about measures taken by the government to build the capabilities for self-defence and the military, including the development of local weapons technology to reduce dependence on external powers in facing future threats, similar to the stance taken by Iran. Khaled said the government has also received and is considering research and development collaboration offers from nations, particularly Turkiye, in defence-related areas such as border security systems, professional radio systems and air defence systems among others. "For Malaysia, the development of self-reliant defence capabilities encompasses the advancement of technology, weapons systems, maintenance infrastructure and the strengthening of local human capital. The goal is to reduce dependence on foreign powers and enhance the efficiency of response to any threats," he said.
The Sun
21-07-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Malaysia explores defence R&D cooperation with Turkey, others
KUALA LUMPUR: The government is evaluating potential research and development (R&D) collaborations in the defence sector with multiple countries, particularly Turkey, to enhance national self-defence capabilities and reduce reliance on foreign suppliers. Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin highlighted that such partnerships would cover key areas like Border Security Systems, Professional Radio Systems, and Air Defence Systems. 'The government is committed to strengthening local defence capabilities through a comprehensive approach, including the development of technology, weapons systems, and human capital,' he said in Parliament today. His statement came in response to a query from Kamal Ashaari (PN-Kuala Krau) regarding steps to bolster Malaysia's military self-sufficiency. Mohamed Khaled outlined ongoing initiatives, such as empowering the Science and Technology Research Institute for Defence (STRIDE) as a regional hub for excellence. Additionally, a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) under the Armed Forces Fund Board (LTAT) is being established to reinforce the local defence industry ecosystem. The Defence Ministry has also restructured the Malaysian Industry Council for Defence Enforcement & Security (MIDES) into the Defence Industry Strategic Council. This move aims to enhance governance and refine the Industrial Collaboration Programme (ICP) policy for a more robust defence sector. Meanwhile, the National Defence Industry Policy (DIPN), designed to promote local innovation and technology, is in its final stages of preparation. The policy is expected to be presented to the Cabinet in August. - Bernama
