The Star Online > Nation

Wednesday July 26, 2006

Anti-truancy squads soon

PUTRAJAYA: Truancy is the biggest disciplinary problem facing schools in the country, said Deputy Education Minister Datuk Noh Omar. 

In view of this, anti-truancy teams consisting of representatives from the police, local authorities, parent-teacher associations and teachers will be formed at district level throughout the nation soon. 

These teams will monitor known haunts of students who play truant, like cybercafes and shopping complexes. 

“Currently, there are no appropriate laws to take action against students. So, while we await the amendments to the appropriate laws, we will take proactive measures through the formation of these teams,” Noh told reporters after chairing a meeting of the Action Committee on School Issues.  

“The purpose of these teams is not to catch the students, but more towards persuading them to go back to school. We also want the local authorities to take strict action against entertainment centres that contravene regulations which prohibit the underaged and students in uniform from entering their outlets.” 

The teams will make their rounds at least once every three months. 

Once the names of outlets are compiled and sent to the ministry, Noh himself will write to the relevant local authorities and chief minister of the state requesting that the licences of the errant outlets be revoked. 

Noh, Deputy Education Minister Datuk Hon Choon Kim and the ministry's parliamentary secretary P. Komala Devi will also head teams to selected districts to conduct anti-truancy surveys. 

Other efforts to be carried out by the ministry include a media campaign focused on truancy, bullying and empowering parent-teacher associations. 

It would also be conducting courses on legal literacy for discipline teachers, and courses on conducting investigations of complaints for state and district education officers.  

The Star Online > Nation

Sunday August 14, 2005

See Bangsa Malaysia in right light, says Lim

BY LISA GOH

KUALA LUMPUR: Bangsa Malaysia should not be seen as doing away with cultural practices but one that celebrates diversity, said Gerakan president Datuk Seri Dr Lim Keng Yaik. 

He said he hoped to see a Bangsa Malaysia where “we learn to understand, accept and celebrate our pluralistic nature”, and that our shared cultural heritage should not be denied.  

Dr Lim, who is Energy, Water and Communications Minister, was speaking at the one-day forum aimed at exploring the concept of Bangsa Malaysia and unity in a multi-cultural nation. 

He said Malaysians must overcome challenges and remove a “historical” burden in the process of nation-building. 

“How can the Chinese and Indian communities sacrifice and devote their time, energy and resources to nation-building if they are often demoralised by the constant reminders that they are beholden to the Government for granting them citizenships?”  

Education Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein emphasised the importance of schools where young children could be taught the skills of living and working together and be instilled with a sense that they share a common origin and inherit a common future.  

He said his ministry was working hard to make national schools a choice for Malaysians of all backgrounds and that Vision Schools would be a good platform for children of all races to integrate. 

Among those present at the forum were Gerakan vice-president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon, DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng and Umno Youth deputy chairman Khairy Jamaluddin.  

If Dr M can talk so much, why the BN also said something about him mah ???

If the Pak Lah team is good, why bother.??

I like to read Dr M more.

The Star Online > Nation

Wednesday June 28, 2006

Enough Dr M

PETALING JAYA: Cabinet ministers and Mentris Besar expressed regret over Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's association with the Opposition and urged the former prime minister to cease his attacks on the Government. 

In expressing their support for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, they questioned Dr Mahathir loyalty to Umno in the wake of his no-holds barred outburst in the media. 

They said the former prime minister remarks were callous and could be used by the Opposition to weaken the Government and confuse the people. 

They pleaded with Dr Mahathir to refrain from carrying out the open attacks on the Government for the good of Umno and the country and added that he was only tarnishing his own image by his actions. 

In response, Dr Mahathir denied colluding with the Opposition and declared that he would not leave Umno as suggested by Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz. 

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Nazri open to debate with Dr Mahathir
 

How could the head of the department have that gut to sign the programme ?

The Star Online > Nation

Thursday June 29, 2006

DBKL slammed over social graces course

KUALA LUMPUR: Kuala Lumpur City Hall’s (DBKL) decision to spend almost RM100,000 on a social grooming-cum-etiquette course for its top officials has drawn the ire of Federal Territory Members of Parliament. 

Bukit Bintang MP Fong Kui Lun said it was a waste of public funds to spend so much on the course. 

“The money should have been put to better use, such as improving facilities for city folks,” he said. 

“If they really need grooming then it should be done through in-house training, which will enable them to cut expenditure. Public funds should be handled carefully, and DBKL should make sure that the money spent is worthwhile.”  

Seputeh MP Teresa Kok questioned the need to also purchase tuxedos costing RM2,500 each for the DBKL officers as part of the course. 

“It is not in Malaysian culture to wear tuxedos and we hardly see people wearing them for social functions. Frankly, it is a waste of taxpayers money,” she said.  

Cheras MP Tan Kok Wai said he was glad the Public Accounts Committee had expressed its unhappiness over the expenditure for the course. 

However, Federal Territories Minister Datuk Zulhasnan Rafique said such courses were necessary as they would benefit the officers, who had to deal with the public and private sectors and other agencies as part of their daily duties. 

“I am aware of the controversy surrounding the issue. I have just received a report from ministry secretary-general Datuk Abdul Hakim Borhan on the matter and will issue a statement soon,” said Zulhasnan, adding that budget for such programmes required the approval of the minister.