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The Sun
08-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Comprehensive rural youth development plan needed to produce rural generation capable of navigating modern world challenges
PUTRAJAYA: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has called on the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development (KKDW) to formulate a comprehensive Rural Youth Development Plan aimed at producing a digitally literate, knowledgeable and skilled young rural generation capable of navigating challenges of the modern world. He said the plan would not only create job opportunities through the establishment of Rural Gig Hubs, but also nurture young leadership by appointing Rural Youth Ambassadors to serve as the voice and representative of the new rural generation. 'Through this plan, we can also introduce the ASEAN Rural Youth Exchange Programme, offering our young people the opportunity to gain knowledge and experience on an international platform,' he said when speaking at the Rural and Regional Development Ministry's Monthly Assembly here today. Ahmad Zahid, who is also the Rural and Regional Development Minister, expressed confidence that the ministry could develop the plan with the active involvement of all agencies under the ministry, coordinated through a dedicated platform or committee. 'Our goal is clear, I want Malaysian Rural Youth to penetrate borders, explore the world and compete on the global stage. They are not just the heirs of the nation, but the country's strategic assets and drivers of Malaysia's future,' he said. Commenting on Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's message delivered during a meeting with the KKDW leadership last March, Ahmad Zahid said the prime minister had stressed the importance of ensuring that every basic rural development project is implemented effectively, with tangible benefits that can be felt and appreciated by the people. 'The Prime Minister also reminded us that monitoring must be carried out diligently and comprehensively, with accurate reports submitted to Cabinet Ministers and that all arising issues should be addressed without delay,' he said. As a follow-up measure, Ahmad Zahid suggested that KKDW develop a comprehensive and transparent monthly performance schedule to serve as a reference in tracking the progress of projects and the delivery of aid to the community. He also highlighted the importance of having complete, fact-based data to ensure that no target group is left behind in the Rural Transformation Agenda. 'We must move based on data, lead with information and act with confidence. The guidance and direction are already in place, now it's time for us to focus on delivering real, impactful actions on the ground, not just plans that look good on paper,' he said. Meanwhile, he called on the Community Development Department (KEMAS) to strengthen engagement sessions with parents and educators to evaluate the impact of the implementation of the KEMAS Pre-Tahfiz Programme, which has been running for a year. 'These engagements are crucial for gathering feedback and suggestions for improvements, including the proposal to establish a Special Needs Nursery,' he said. He said initiatives like these play a significant role in driving social mobility within rural communities, and KKDW needs to ensure that every programme genuinely impacts people's lives and delivers meaningful change.


The Sun
08-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Comprehensive rural youth development plan needed
PUTRAJAYA: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has called on the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development (KKDW) to formulate a comprehensive Rural Youth Development Plan aimed at producing a digitally literate, knowledgeable and skilled young rural generation capable of navigating challenges of the modern world. He said the plan would not only create job opportunities through the establishment of Rural Gig Hubs, but also nurture young leadership by appointing Rural Youth Ambassadors to serve as the voice and representative of the new rural generation. 'Through this plan, we can also introduce the ASEAN Rural Youth Exchange Programme, offering our young people the opportunity to gain knowledge and experience on an international platform,' he said when speaking at the Rural and Regional Development Ministry's Monthly Assembly here today. Ahmad Zahid, who is also the Rural and Regional Development Minister, expressed confidence that the ministry could develop the plan with the active involvement of all agencies under the ministry, coordinated through a dedicated platform or committee. 'Our goal is clear, I want Malaysian Rural Youth to penetrate borders, explore the world and compete on the global stage. They are not just the heirs of the nation, but the country's strategic assets and drivers of Malaysia's future,' he said. Commenting on Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's message delivered during a meeting with the KKDW leadership last March, Ahmad Zahid said the prime minister had stressed the importance of ensuring that every basic rural development project is implemented effectively, with tangible benefits that can be felt and appreciated by the people. 'The Prime Minister also reminded us that monitoring must be carried out diligently and comprehensively, with accurate reports submitted to Cabinet Ministers and that all arising issues should be addressed without delay,' he said. As a follow-up measure, Ahmad Zahid suggested that KKDW develop a comprehensive and transparent monthly performance schedule to serve as a reference in tracking the progress of projects and the delivery of aid to the community. He also highlighted the importance of having complete, fact-based data to ensure that no target group is left behind in the Rural Transformation Agenda. 'We must move based on data, lead with information and act with confidence. The guidance and direction are already in place, now it's time for us to focus on delivering real, impactful actions on the ground, not just plans that look good on paper,' he said. Meanwhile, he called on the Community Development Department (KEMAS) to strengthen engagement sessions with parents and educators to evaluate the impact of the implementation of the KEMAS Pre-Tahfiz Programme, which has been running for a year. 'These engagements are crucial for gathering feedback and suggestions for improvements, including the proposal to establish a Special Needs Nursery,' he said. He said initiatives like these play a significant role in driving social mobility within rural communities, and KKDW needs to ensure that every programme genuinely impacts people's lives and delivers meaningful change.


New Straits Times
22-04-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Loke: Xi Jinping souvenir was personal, not govt gift
PUTRAJAYA: The issue surrounding the presentation of a souvenir to Chinese President Xi Jinping should not be exaggerated or overly scrutinised. Transport Minister Anthony Loke said that the souvenir was made in Malaysia, with the engraving crafted by Royal Selangor. "The souvenir was a personal gift, and I did not say that it was a gift from the government," he said after the Transport Ministry's Monthly Assembly and Raikan Kasih Madani 2025 event at his ministry today. He was responding to a question from the media regarding the souvenir, which sparked debate on social media following claims that it had been presented "through the back door" without official protocol. A short video clip of the incident went viral and drew widespread attention after being uploaded by Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching on her Facebook page. In her post, she wrote: "Anthony Loke, on behalf of DAP, presents a commemorative plaque to the General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)." The Royal Selangor plaque, featuring an engraved dragon motif, was presented to Xi on April 17 prior to his departure for Cambodia, following a three-day visit to Malaysia as part of his Southeast Asia tour. Recently, Loke, who is also Seremban member of parliament, issued a clarification via Facebook, saying that the souvenir was presented near the back entrance for security reasons. Commenting on the dragon motif, he said that the plaque was "100 per cent made in Malaysia" and that the dragon symbolises strength, wisdom, and friendship in Chinese culture.

Malay Mail
22-04-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
HR minister: National-level 2025 Labour Day celebration to take place at Axiata Arena
PUTRAJAYA, April 22 — The 2025 National Workers' Day celebration will be held at Axiata Arena, Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur on May 1, said Human Resources Minister Steven Sim. Sim said the celebration, themed 'Pekerja Kesuma Bangsa', which is targeting 10,000 visitors, is scheduled to be officiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. 'Today we are holding a pre-launch for the 2025 Labour Day Celebration and this year's programme will be held at Axiata Arena. 'The programme will start on April 28, where we will organise a Labour Day carnival with various events including a career carnival, job fair, skills training and so on,' he told reporters after attending the Ministry of Human Resources' (Kesuma) Monthly Assembly and the Pre-Launch of the 2025 National Labour Day Celebration here today. Sim said among the events expected to attract visitors is the Mega Career Carnival which offers 10,000 job opportunities in the private sector and government-linked companies (GLCs) as well as a discount on Royal Malaysian Police summonses of up to 50 per cent. 'I am inviting the public to visit Axiata Arena starting April 28 to experience the excitement of the Labour Day celebration for themselves,' he said. Asked if there may be any important announcements at the celebration, Sim expected the prime minister to announce several things but asked all parties to attend the annual celebration in person. 'Yes, but you have to wait... there will be several announcements in terms of policies, in terms of new programmes that may be announced by the prime minister and myself,' he said. Meanwhile, Kesuma in a statement announced that the ministry will launch the MYFutureJobs application: A Progressive Step to Empower Job Seekers in conjunction with the National Level Labour Day 2025 celebration. According to the statement, the mobile application was introduced as an important initiative towards the digitalisation of the country's labour system. The statement said that the application will become the main medium to empower job seekers with faster and more efficient job matching, instant notifications about job opportunities and a user-friendly design for a smooth job search experience. 'This launch is a strategic and progressive step in supporting a more inclusive, responsive and sustainable digital job ecosystem in line with the aspirations of Madani Malaysia,' according to the statement. — Bernama

Barnama
22-04-2025
- Business
- Barnama
National Level 2025 Labour Day Celebration At Axiata Arena
GENERAL PUTRAJAYA, April 22 (Bernama) — The 2025 National Workers' Day celebration will be held at Axiata Arena, Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur on May 1, said Human Resources Minister Steven Sim. Sim said the celebration, themed 'Pekerja Kesuma Bangsa', which is targeting 10,000 visitors, is scheduled to be officiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. 'Today we are holding a pre-launch for the 2025 Labour Day Celebration and this year's programme will be held at Axiata Arena. 'The programme will start on April 28, where we will organise a Labour Day carnival with various events including a career carnival, job fair, skills training and so on,' he told reporters after attending the Ministry of Human Resources' (KESUMA) Monthly Assembly and the Pre-Launch of the 2025 National Labour Day Celebration here today. Sim said among the events expected to attract visitors is the Mega Career Carnival which offers 10,000 job opportunities in the private sector and government-linked companies (GLCs) as well as a discount on Royal Malaysian Police summonses of up to 50 per cent. 'I am inviting the public to visit Axiata Arena starting April 28 to experience the excitement of the Labour Day celebration for themselves,' he said. Asked if there may be any important announcements at the celebration, Sim expected the Prime Minister to announce several things but asked all parties to attend the annual celebration in person. 'Yes, but you have to wait... there will be several announcements in terms of policies, in terms of new programmes that may be announced by the Prime Minister and myself,' he said. Meanwhile, KESUMA in a statement announced that the ministry will launch the MYFutureJobs application: A Progressive Step to Empower Job Seekers in conjunction with the National Level Labour Day 2025 celebration.