Latest news with #StatePublicHealthandEnvironmentCommittee
New Straits Times
25-07-2025
- Health
- New Straits Times
MOE plans intervention to boost number of school counsellors
KUALA LUMPUR: The number of counselling teachers currently placed in government primary and secondary schools remains insufficient to cater to the growing student population, said Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek. She said the ministry needed to introduce policy interventions to increase the number of school counsellor positions. "This is a significant commitment that involves not just policy change but also staffing allocations and other administrative considerations," she told reporters after appearing on the Malaysia Hari Ini (MHI) programme at Balai Berita yesterday. Fadhlina said strengthening the psychosocial well-being of students was just as important as maintaining the safety of the physical school environment. She said the ministry was focused on enhancing both the number and training of counselling teachers in primary and secondary schools to support a healthy school ecosystem. "The current number of counsellors is still insufficient. "As I mentioned earlier, the ministry must commit to addressing this issue seriously because it is not a trivial matter and requires collective commitment. "We must prioritise the addition of school counsellors. "At the same time, training must be enhanced so they are better equipped to manage students' issues, particularly depression, an area also supported by the Health Ministry and specific developments in Malaysia's counselling sector." She was commenting on a recent revelation by State Public Health and Environment Committee chairman Jamaliah Jamaluddin, who raised concerns over depression among secondary school students in the state. According to media reports, Jamaliah told the Selangor State Legislative Assembly on July 7 that data from the 2024/2025 Healthy Mind Screening Analysis showed that 1,020 out of 36,428 secondary students in Selangor (2.8 per cent) exhibited early signs of high-risk depression. In response, Fadhlina called for shared responsibility and collective action from stakeholders, including parents, the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA), community counsellors and the general public. "We treat every case with utmost seriousness. "We do not deny that such issues are affecting our students, but what we need now is a united commitment. This issue must be tackled together," she said. Fadhlina said the ministry had implemented various programmes involving screenings and assessments by school counsellors to detect symptoms of depression among students. She said students who required further support would be referred to psychologists. However, she said, family involvement remained one of the most crucial forms of early and continuous intervention. "Mental health support programmes in schools are extremely important. "We work closely with the Health Ministry to ensure these initiatives have a meaningful impact in strengthening the psychosocial ecosystem for students. "At the same time, I urge families to provide strong support. "That means parental involvement plays a key role in helping children recover, in addition to the interventions we offer. "If there are any warning signs, we urge parents to be vigilant and inform the school so that we can activate the support system as early as possible," she said. Among those present were Media Prima Bhd Group chairman Datuk Seri Dr Syed Hussian Aljunid, Group managing director Rafiq Razali, Group chief financial officer Rosli Sabarudin, Omnia chief operating officer Datuk Mohd Efendi Omar, and Media Prima Television Network and Primeworks Studios chief executive officer Nini Yusof.
New Straits Times
24-07-2025
- Climate
- New Straits Times
Selangor parents allowed to keep kids home as haze worsens: Exco
SHAH ALAM: Parents in Selangor are permitted to keep their children home from school due to health concerns amid worsening haze conditions, the state government said today. State Public Health and Environment Committee chairperson Jamaliah Jamaluddin said that while student absences will be excused, parents or guardians must notify schools accordingly. "All principals and headmasters are advised to monitor the Air Pollutant Index (API) via the Department of Environment (DOE) website to ensure timely and appropriate action," she said in a statement. Schools have been issued a directive outlining response measures if API readings exceed 100 (unhealthy) or 200 (very unhealthy). These include suspending outdoor activities and, if levels surpass 200, closing schools immediately to safeguard students' health. As of today, no haze-related illnesses or heatstroke cases have been reported in Selangor, according to the State Health Department (JKNS), which continues to monitor the situation. API readings have dropped in several previously affected areas, with Petaling Jaya (83), Klang (80), Banting (81), and Johan Setia (88) showing improvement from highs of 150. Shah Alam recorded a moderate reading of 90, while Kuala Selangor remains in the unhealthy range at 126. To address the haze risk, the Selangor DOE has activated its Open Burning Prevention Action Plan amid concerns over increased fire activity during the current hot and dry spell. Local authorities and plantation owners have been directed to tighten fire prevention measures and boost public awareness.
The Sun
24-07-2025
- Climate
- The Sun
Selangor haze alert: Parents can keep kids home as air quality drops
SHAH ALAM: Parents in Selangor may keep their children home from school as haze conditions worsen, the state government confirmed today. State Public Health and Environment Committee chairperson Jamaliah Jamaluddin said while absences will be excused, parents must inform schools. 'All principals and headmasters are advised to monitor the Air Pollutant Index (API) via the Department of Environment (DOE) website to ensure timely and appropriate action,' she said in a statement. Schools have received guidelines on response measures if API readings exceed 100 (unhealthy) or 200 (very unhealthy). Outdoor activities will be suspended, and schools may close if levels surpass 200. No haze-related illnesses or heatstroke cases have been reported in Selangor so far, according to the State Health Department (JKNS). API readings have improved in some areas, including Petaling Jaya (83), Klang (80), and Banting (81). However, Kuala Selangor remains unhealthy at 126. The Selangor DOE has activated its Open Burning Prevention Action Plan to curb fire risks during the dry spell. Enforcement teams are patrolling high-risk areas, and plantation owners have been instructed to tighten fire prevention measures. - Bernama
The Star
24-07-2025
- Climate
- The Star
Air quality improves in Selangor except in Kuala Selangor
PETALING JAYA: Four out of six Air Quality Monitoring Stations in Selangor recorded a decrease on Thursday (July 24), namely in Petaling Jaya (83), Klang (80), Banting (81), and Johan Setia (88) due to rain and a reduction in the number of hot spots. State Public Health and Environment Committee chairman Jamaliah Jamaluddin stated that only Kuala Selangor recorded an increase to unhealthy readings, namely 126 as of 11am, compared to 86 on Wednesday (July 23). "Shah Alam recorded an increase in the API reading to 90 compared to 87 on Wednesday, but still at a moderate air quality level. "The highest API reading of 150 was recorded in Johan Setia and Banting on July 21," she said. She added that following the cross-border haze phenomenon, especially in the Johan Setia and Banting areas a few days ago, and most recently in Kuala Selangor, the National Haze Action Plan Meeting chaired by the Selangor State Secretary, Datuk Dr Ahmad Fadzli Ahmad Tajuddin, was held on Thursday (July 24). Additionally, she mentioned all schools in Selangor have received a letter outlining the steps to be taken if the API reading in the school area reaches unhealthy levels (API > 100) or dangerous. This includes suspending extracurricular activities to ensure the health and safety of all students, Jamaliah said. "All schools must be closed immediately if the API exceeds 200. Principals and Headmasters are also requested to monitor the current API readings via the official website of the Environment Department to enable immediate and appropriate action to be taken. "Parents who are concerned about their children's health are allowed not to send their children to school and are asked to inform the school authorities. "As of today (July 24), the Selangor State Health Department has announced that no cases of illness associated with the haze phenomenon have been reported in Selangor, and no cases of heat stroke have been recorded in the state," she said. With the Southwest Monsoon expected to continue until September 2025, the public is advised to refer to official portals such as the Environment Department, the Malaysian Meteorological Department, and other relevant agencies to obtain the latest information and advice on air quality and haze. Jamaliah stated that the state government, through its Environment Department, will continue to activate the Open Burning Prevention Action Plan as a measure to deal with possibilities that could affect air quality during the current hot and dry weather period. These include increased ground monitoring patrols and the use of drone technology in high-risk areas such as peatlands and landfills, and instructions to local authorities as well as plantation owners to take preventive measures and strict control to prevent fires, she said. Simultaneously, the standard operating procedures of the Peatland Fire Prevention Programme have also been activated involving several related agencies with notices issued to landowners and notification to the Forestry Department and local authorities to conduct ground patrols and monitoring through observation towers. "To strengthen implementation on the ground, patrols were also carried out in high-risk areas, in addition to the implementation of the Operation to Prevent Open Burning in identified hotspot areas. "We also urge the cooperation of the public not to carry out any open burning activities, whether in residential, agricultural, or open spaces. Haze not only affects air quality, but can also pose serious health risks, especially to children, the elderly, and chronic respiratory patients," she said. To report any open burning activities, contact the Selangor Environment Department Hotline at 1-800-88-2727 or via the Environment Department eComplaint application.
Focus Malaysia
08-07-2025
- Health
- Focus Malaysia
Beliawanis MCA: Mental health solutions must be emotionally inclusive, unbiased
BELIAWANIS MCA has expressed concern over the recent report revealing that over 1,000 secondary school students are at risk of depression. Its national chairperson Ivone Low Yi Wen was referring to a statement made by State Public Health and Environment Committee chairman Jamaliah Jamaluddin on Monday (July 7). Jamaliah told the Selangor State Legislative Assembly that a total of 1,020 out of 36,428 secondary school students in Selangor have shown early signs of being at high risk for depression. The Bandar Utama assemblywoman also said the findings, based on the Minda Sihat (Healthy Mind) Mental Health Screening Analysis for the 2024/2025 school session, indicated that overall psychosocial behaviour among students remains under control. Stressing on the importance of speaking out about mental health, Low said while the situation remains under control, there is still room for improvement. 'While significant strides have been made to address it and reduce the stigma surrounding it, we must continue our efforts to acknowledge the very real challenges that students with depression face,' she remarked. First and foremost, according to Low, funding for mental health programmes must be adequate as depression, alongside other mental health conditions such as anxiety, bipolar disorder and even learning disabilities such as ADHD, can have severe consequences if left untreated. 'Sufficient funding would ensure that intervention programmes are taken seriously, making it clear that these are not just empty words but essential initiatives for positive change,' she added. She further stressed that mental health issues must be addressed at all levels regardless whether students have been formally diagnosed with depression or otherwise. 'For example, the risk of mental illness should be taught in a formal and serious manner, rather than being dismissed or laughed off as something that 'can't happen to me'. It is vital to recognise that these issues should never be trivialised,' she said. 'Just because one may not personally experience them does not make them any less important; mental health can affect anyone.' Regarding school programmes and the current scope of intervention at educational levels, Low also suggested that regular checks should be carried out to ensure that new initiatives are being implemented effectively and treated with the seriousness they deserve. This should not be seen as an additional burden on already overloaded curricula as there must be a balance between strong implementation and a compassionate, supportive environment for affected students. Low said these modules should not focus solely on techniques but also emphasise the importance of teacher/educator and peer support as teaching about mental health is pointless if there is no emotional support available. 'Finally, fellow Malaysians must also examine how we conduct ourselves as a society and whether our behaviours are contributing to the rising rates of mental health issues,' she reckoned. 'Factors such as academic pressure, unhealthy habits, family stress, and other potential stressors could be exacerbating the mental health crisis. To truly address depression, we must look at the issue from all angles.' ‒ July 8, 2025 Main image: Pexels/Mikhail Nilov
