Latest news with #MohdAzam
The Star
7 days ago
- General
- The Star
Sikhs mark 25 years of Punjabi education
Mohd Azam (second from right) presenting a long-service award to Guru Nanak Institution principal Phajan Kaur Mahinder Singh. Looking on are Jaginder (left) and Kuldip. Mother tongue education is an integral part of a community's identity and keeps members connected to their roots. This year, Sikhs nationwide are celebrating the 25th anniversary of Khalsa Diwan Malaysia's (KDM) Punjabi education programme. Set up by the Sikh non-governmental organisation in 2001, the initiative was prompted by a decline in the number of students pursuing Punjabi language as a subject in public examinations like Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM). KDM deputy president Dr Kuldip Kaur said the decline led to concerted efforts aimed at reviving Punjabi classes and ensuring it remains a primary language for members of the community. In 2001, eight Punjabi Education Centres (PECs) were set up in Ipoh, Taiping, Batu Gajah, Kampar and Sitiawan in Perak; Butterworth and Wadda Gurdwara Sahib in Penang and Kota Baru in Kelantan. Presently, KDM runs 36 PECs in 11 states with a total annual enrolment of about 1,800 students. In tandem, the number of candidates for the SPM Punjabi language paper has increased, with an average of 50 students taking it every year. KDM president Jaginder Singh said that as the oldest Sikh organisation in Malaysia, it is proud to have played a role in preserving, promoting and developing the Punjabi language. He shared that in the 2023 SPM examination, students who sat for the Punjabi language paper scored 100% passes, while in 2024, 98.2% passes were recorded. Annually, more than half of the students taking the paper have obtained excellent results (A+, A or A-). Kuldip, who is also the organising chairperson of the 25th anniversary celebrations, said various events were held to bring together stakeholders and well-wishers who had contributed to the programme's success. The celebrations kicked off on May 1 with a thanksgiving event at Gurdwara Sahib Sentul in Kuala Lumpur, where students from 15 PECs sang Kirtan (Sikh hymns). All participating PEC students received certificates of appreciation and gifts. On May 2, a symposium on innovations in Punjabi language education was held at Kelab Aman in Kuala Lumpur where teachers shared advanced techniques for teaching Punjabi and Sikhism. The event was attended by about 140 PEC teachers and administrators. The next day, trainers from Asia Pacific University (APU) led a workshop on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and technology-enhanced learning. More than 70 Punjabi teachers learnt techniques for assessment skills and building student support systems. A dinner to celebrate the silver jubilee was held on May 3 at Royal Lake Club in Kuala Lumpur. Education deputy director-general (professionalism development sector) Dr Mohd Azam Ahmad represented Minister Fadhlina Sidek at the event. Mohd Azam presented long service awards to 18 teachers who had served 25 years in PECs, and to 60 teachers and administrators who had served between 20 and 24 years. In his speech, Jaginder said the Federal Government had approved RM265,000 for PEC activities this year, with several state governments also extending financial support. He thanked Education Ministry for continuing to offer the Punjabi language as a subject for the Academic Session Final Test (UASA) in Forms 1, 2 and 3, as well as at SPM level. Jaginder also extended gratitude to the Indian government for the Grant in Aid to Indo Foreign Friendship Cultural Societies (GIA) in support of KDM activities. Also present at the dinner were Indian High Commissioner to Malaysia BN Reddy as well as Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's special officer Shanmugam Mookan.
The Sun
20-05-2025
- The Sun
Teenage duo nabbed over nude video extortion
KUALA LUMPUR: Police arrested two men for extortion after they threatened to release a nude video of a victim and his girlfriend unless a sum of money was paid. Ampang Jaya district police chief ACP Mohd Azam Ismail said the two suspects, aged 18, were nabbed in Ampang on Sunday. Police also seized three mobile phones to aid in the investigation. Investigations revealed that the victim received a threatening WhatsApp message from an acquaintance on April 11, demanding money. As a result, the victim paid RM2,800 in instalments. 'One of the suspects then demanded an additional RM1,000, prompting the victim to lodge a police report,' he said in a statement today. Mohd Azam also said urine tests indicated that both suspects tested positive for tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Background checks showed that one suspect had four previous criminal records, including drug-related offences, while the other was clear of any negative activities. 'Both suspects have been remanded for four days, starting yesterday. The case is being investigated under Section 385 of the Penal Code for extortion and Section 292 for possession of obscene material under the Penal Code,' he added.
The Star
20-05-2025
- The Star
Two teens arrested over alleged 'sextortion'
AMPANG: Two teenage boys have been detained for alleged "sextortion", says the police. The boys, both 18-years-old, were suspected of extorting a male victim by threatening to spread a nude video of the victim and his girlfriend last month. Ampang Jaya OCPD Asst Comm Mohd Azam Ismail said the victim was at his friend's house in Taman Melawati on April 11 when he received a WhatsApp message from an unknown individual. "The suspects had demanded cash and threatened to release the video if their demand was not met. "The victim ended up paying RM2,800 to the suspects but they demanded an extra RM1,000. The demand for extra cash drove the victim to lodge a police report," he said in a statement on Tuesday (May 20). Investigations led police to arrest the two teenagers near Galaxy Ampang on May 18, he said. "We also seized three mobile phones believed to have been used for the extortion. "One of the suspects had a criminal record for four prior offences while the other did not have any priors. Both of them tested positive for THC," he said. ACP Mohd Azam said both suspects have been remanded until May 22.
The Sun
20-05-2025
- The Sun
Strong currents sweep away Rohingya girl who fell in drain near Kampung Cheras Baru
KUALA LUMPUR: An 11-year-old Rohingya girl has gone missing after being swept away by strong currents in a drain in front of the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) Hall in Kampung Cheras Baru yesterday. Ampang Jaya Police Chief ACP Mohd Azam Ismail said police received information about the incident at 6.07 pm via the District Control Centre of the Ampang Jaya District Police Headquarters. 'Upon receiving the report, police and the fire and rescue department personnel were dispatched to the scene and were informed that two girls had fallen into the drain but one of the girls, a 10-year-old Rohingya, was rescued by members of the public,' he said in a statement today. He added that a rescue team was conducting search and rescue operations for the second missing Rohingya child, together with the Ampang Jaya police and firefighters from the Ampang Fire and Rescue Station. 'The search and rescue operation was called off at 10.30 pm due to darkness and rain, and will resume tomorrow at 8 am,' he said. Mohd Azam urged anyone with information about the incident to contact the police to assist with the investigation.
The Sun
20-05-2025
- The Sun
Strong currents sweep away Rohingya girl who fell in drain
KUALA LUMPUR: An 11-year-old Rohingya girl has gone missing after being swept away by strong currents in a drain in front of the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) Hall in Kampung Cheras Baru yesterday. Ampang Jaya Police Chief ACP Mohd Azam Ismail said police received information about the incident at 6.07 pm via the District Control Centre of the Ampang Jaya District Police Headquarters. 'Upon receiving the report, police and the fire and rescue department personnel were dispatched to the scene and were informed that two girls had fallen into the drain but one of the girls, a 10-year-old Rohingya, was rescued by members of the public,' he said in a statement today. He added that a rescue team was conducting search and rescue operations for the second missing Rohingya child, together with the Ampang Jaya police and firefighters from the Ampang Fire and Rescue Station. 'The search and rescue operation was called off at 10.30 pm due to darkness and rain, and will resume tomorrow at 8 am,' he said. Mohd Azam urged anyone with information about the incident to contact the police to assist with the investigation.
