Latest news with #MajlisAmanahRakyat
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New Straits Times
3 days ago
- New Straits Times
Asyraf Wajdi: 'Bullying is a crime' campaign must start now [WATCH]
KUALA LUMPUR: A coordinated effort to combat bullying and roll out the 'Bullying is a Crime' campaign at all levels must be launched, said Majlis Amanah Rakyat chairman Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki. He said strict punishment must be enforced regardless of a person's background. "If someone is involved, firm action must be taken. Bullying victims inevitably suffer severe trauma—whether physical, mental, verbal, or cyber in nature. View this post on Instagram "This vicious cycle—this chain of violence and bullying—must be broken. You touch, you go," he said in a video posted on Facebook. His statement came following the death of Form One student Zara Qairina Mahathir, who reportedly fell from the third floor of a school hostel in Sabah. The case has been linked to allegations of bullying among students at the school. Asyraf said the effort must begin immediately and involve all parties—from schools, teachers, administrators, and the school environment to parents and media influences, which have been identified as contributing factors. He added that it is crucial to instil the values of love and compassion in every student. "If these values are not instilled in students, how can we expect to nurture a caring generation? "Even worse, we may end up producing future leaders who lack moral values—people willing to exploit and oppress others simply because they have grown accustomed to a culture of bullying. "Remember, bullying is a crime." Yesterday, the Education Ministry said it is working closely with the police to investigate the death of Zara Qairina. Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said the ministry would extend full cooperation to the authorities and that investigators must be allowed to carry out their work without interference. "The incident is currently being investigated by the police. The ministry will extend its full cooperation to the authorities," she said.
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- New Straits Times
Asyraf Wajdi: 'Bullying is a crime' campaign must start now
KUALA LUMPUR: A coordinated effort to combat bullying and roll out the 'Bullying is a Crime' campaign at all levels must be launched, said Majlis Amanah Rakyat chairman Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki. He said strict punishment must be enforced regardless of a person's background. "If someone is involved, firm action must be taken. Bullying victims inevitably suffer severe trauma—whether physical, mental, verbal, or cyber in nature. "This vicious cycle—this chain of violence and bullying—must be broken. You touch, you go," he said in a video posted on Facebook. His statement came following the death of Form One student Zara Qairina Mahathir, who reportedly fell from the third floor of a school hostel in Sabah. The case has been linked to allegations of bullying among students at the school. Asyraf said the effort must begin immediately and involve all parties—from schools, teachers, administrators, and the school environment to parents and media influences, which have been identified as contributing factors. He added that it is crucial to instil the values of love and compassion in every student. "If these values are not instilled in students, how can we expect to nurture a caring generation? "Even worse, we may end up producing future leaders who lack moral values—people willing to exploit and oppress others simply because they have grown accustomed to a culture of bullying. "Remember, bullying is a crime." Yesterday, the Education Ministry said it is working closely with the police to investigate the death of Zara Qairina. Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said the ministry would extend full cooperation to the authorities and that investigators must be allowed to carry out their work without interference. "The incident is currently being investigated by the police. The ministry will extend its full cooperation to the authorities," she said.
The Sun
14-07-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Malaysia to send more sponsored students to New Zealand universities
AUCKLAND: Malaysia is set to send an additional 100 Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA)-sponsored students to New Zealand following stricter placement conditions in the United States. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi announced the move during his working visit to New Zealand, highlighting the country's readiness to welcome more Malaysian students. Several New Zealand universities have extended offers to MARA-sponsored students, with potential placements also available for those funded by Petronas, the Public Service Department (JPA), and other agencies. Ahmad Zahid emphasised the need to diversify overseas education options for Malaysian students, particularly as local institutions now offer a wider range of courses. Currently, only 690 Malaysian students are enrolled in New Zealand, a sharp decline from previous years. Ahmad Zahid attributed this to rising overseas education costs and the growing quality of domestic programmes. He expressed hope that the new initiative would help reverse the trend. On attracting New Zealand students to Malaysia, Ahmad Zahid noted that only 20 are currently studying in the country. He proposed short-term courses lasting three to six months, particularly in technical and vocational fields, as a way to boost numbers. Institutions like Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) and Universiti Poly-Tech Malaysia (UPTM) could play a key role in such collaborations. Malaysia's technical universities, under the Malaysian Technical University Network (MTUN), are recognised by the National TVET Council and the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA), making them attractive for foreign students. Ahmad Zahid, who chairs the National TVET Council, also highlighted potential partnerships in green technology and renewable energy, areas where New Zealand excels. 'New Zealand generates 87 per cent of its energy from renewable sources. This expertise is valuable for our engineering students as Malaysia expands its green energy initiatives,' he said. Ahmad Zahid proposed reactivating student exchange programmes with support from Malaysia's High Commissioner to New Zealand, Mazita Marzuki, to refine suitable study fields. His five-day working visit aims to strengthen bilateral ties, with discussions on defence, agriculture, education, and the halal industry. - Bernama
The Star
14-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
Mara plans to send 100 sponsored students to NZ, says Zahid
AUCKLAND: Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) plans to send 100 sponsored students to further their tertiary education in New Zealand, says Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. The Deputy Prime Minister said the move comes in light of uncertainties in current United States (US) policies with regard to foreign students. "Malaysian students sponsored by Mara that were bound for the United States faced some restrictions. "We have received offers from universities in New Zealand who are willing to accept our Malaysian students. "The offer does not only apply to Mara sponsored students but may also include those sponsored under the Public Service Department, PETRONAS and other agencies," he told reporters when met at the Asean–New Zealand Business Council Engagement session here on Monday (July 14). He added that the High Commissioner of Malaysia to New Zealand, Her Excellency Mazita Marzuki, has been tasked with seeking reasonable discounts from the universities for students who will be sponsored by Mara and the other agencies. He said that the sponsored students would likely be from fields related to green technology and renewable energy. "New Zealand is highly advanced in green technology where 87% of its energy needs come from renewable energy. "We need to expose our engineering students to learn new aspects of these technologies from New Zealand," he added. In June, Ahmad Zahid announced that Mara sponsored students, who were initially bound for further studies in universities in the US this year, will most likely be sent to the United Kingdom (UK) instead. The announcement was made during his working visit to London where three universities had agreed to give discounts of up to 20% in tuition fees for Mara-sponsored students. Meanwhile, Ahmad Zahid, who is also the chairman of the National TVET Committee, said the government is looking at reviving the student exchange programme between Malaysia and New Zealand. "At present, there are 690 Malaysian students studying in New Zealand and only 20 students from New Zealand studying in Malaysia. "We are looking at reviving the student exchange programme which once existed between our countries," he added. He said that students from New Zealand could be offered three to six months courses under TVET skills training programmes. He said that there are currently 1,398 TVET institutions nationwide offering various technical and skills training courses.
Barnama
14-07-2025
- Business
- Barnama
M'sia Plans To Send More Sponsored Students To New Zealand
He said several universities in New Zealand have expressed their readiness to accept Malaysian students, in line with the government's efforts to expand competitive and viable overseas education destinations. AUCKLAND, July 14 (Bernama) -- Malaysia is prepared to send an additional 100 Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA)-sponsored students to New Zealand following placement restrictions in the United States, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. 'Several universities in New Zealand have offered placements to MARA-sponsored students, and possibly also to those sponsored by Petronas, the Public Service Department (JPA), and other agencies. 'I have set a key performance indicator (KPI) for Malaysia's High Commissioner to New Zealand, Mazita Marzuki, to ensure the success of this initiative,' he told reporters after attending an engagement session with the ASEAN-New Zealand Business Council (ANZBC) here today. According to him, there are currently only 690 Malaysian students in New Zealand, a figure significantly lower than in the past, partly due to the wider availability of courses in Malaysia and the rising cost of overseas education.
