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Showing posts from January, 2015

Politics: UM & UMNO

The Malaysian Insider : University of Malaya (UM) Deputy vice-chancellor (academic and international) Professor Dr Mohd Hamdi Abd Shukor, will not be getting an extension on his contract, while another deputy vice-chancellor, Professor Datuk Dr Rohana Yusof, who is in charge of student affairs, is set to be replaced for being too lenient with students, the source from the university said. The most interesting bit of the report is the comment on the current VC compared to previous VC: UM has been plagued with problems since the Education Ministry announced the appointment of Professor Datuk Dr Mohd Amin Jalaludin as the new vice-chancellor of UM. He was seen as having failed to stand up for his staff when associate professor Dr Azmi Sharom was charged with sedition last year over his comments on the Perak constitutional crisis.[...] Amin is said to be weak and unable to protect his staff and the interests of UM since taking over the position from Tan Sri Datuk Dr Ghauth Jas

Malay Rights Groups Coalition Demands PTPTN Loan Exemption For Bumiputeras Only

Perbadanan Tabung Pendidikan Tinggi Nasional (PTPTN) The Malaysian Insider : A coalition of Malay rights groups, led by Perkasa, today urged Putrajaya to consider allowing only Bumiputeras to be exempt from repaying their National Higher Education Fund (PTPTN) loan schemes. They noted in their National Unity Memorandum that the majority of PTPTN borrowers exempted from repaying their loans were Chinese, and this could anger the Bumiputeras. "The Malaysian government must take immediate action over the phenomenon of many non-Bumiputeras being exempted 100% from PTPTN, compared with the Bumiputera students," read the memorandum, which was drafted by a committee headed by Perkasa chief Datuk Ibrahim Ali. "At the same time, the Malaysian government must study the reasons why Bumiputera students' academics are declining, compared with non-Bumiputeras. "In this context, the Malaysian government should review whether PTPTN exemptions should be given to Bu

National Service (NS) Training Programme (PLKN) 2015 Stopped to Save RM400mil - Najib on Budget 2015 Revision

The Star Online : Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak (pic) announced key measures to sustain development and economical growth on Tuesday. Malaysia Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak / The Star According to him, the Government will continue to seek ways to ensure the country continues to grow as well as protecting the people's well-being. The highlights of his announcement include: *  The 2015 National Service Training Programme stopped this year to save RM400mil; programme to be reviewed and enhanced. *  Electricity tariff will not be increased this year. *  Free visa for tourists, among them from China, in a strategy to boost the country's tourism industry. *  Levy on foreign workers to be reviewed. *  Priority given in project tenders to local contractors registered with the Construction Industry Development Board - Class G1 (Class F), G2 (Class E) and G3 (Class D) contractors. *  Local contractors to be given the task of carrying out

Malaysian Students Exploited by PappaRich in Sydney Australia

The Sydney Morning Herald : International students are being exploited in workplaces across Sydney, paid as little as $8 an hour by employers who take advantage of their desperate need for work. The underpayments, well below the legal entitlement, are pushing many to break visa restrictions that limit their work to 40 hours a fortnight, putting the students at risk of deportation. Fairfax Media visited an English language school in the city this week where more than 50 international students said they were being paid below the minimum wage of $16.87 an hour. At least a dozen of those students claimed they received $10 an hour in cash at Chinese, Thai, Korean and Turkish restaurants in suburbs including Gladesville, Marrickville, Haymarket and Chatswood. Malaysian student, Wan, 25, claimed to be exploited (underpaid) by PappaRich Malaysian restaurant in Australia / SMH Many Malaysians imagine that studying overseas like Australia is a wonderful thing but less people unders

Malaysia Passport Fee Reduced, No More Two-Year Passport

Malaysia Passport / PicCredit The Star Online : Malaysian travellers can rejoice as the fee to make or renew their passport for five years is now RM200, down by RM100, effective Thursday. The passport fee for senior citizens, children below 12, Haj pilgrims, and students below 21 and studying abroad is RM100. [...] The disabled do not need to pay for a passport. [...] With the reduction of the five-year passport fees, the two-year passport is not available anymore. Good news indeed. Go for the five-year Malaysia passport to save the hassle of renewing passport (even though it can be done in 1 hour) every two years.

Non-Malay Muslim Student Banned from Wearing Baju Kurung at School

Baju Kurung School Uniform / PicCredit The Rakyat Post: An allegation has surfaced that a public secondary school in Cheras near here has barred a new Form 3 student from entering class as she was wearing a baju kurung which the school claimed was against the dress code. The student’s father, Lawrence Jayaraj, alleged that he was told by the school that only Malay Muslim students were allowed to wear baju kurung while non-Muslim and non-Malay students could not. Was the school principal or management (too racist that he was) not aware that Malaysia is a multiracial country and that wearing baju kurung (one of the most beautiful Malaysian traditional fashions) has nothing to do with Muslim only or the Islam religion? Baju kurung is for Malaysians!

Marriage Equality: Harmonious Family in Malaysia

Who said Malaysia is a conservative country with traditional belief and culture? Actually, Malaysia is very modern and progressive... for example... proof of Malaysia supporting marriage equality below: Malaysia School Textbook: Harmonious Family According to the Facebook post, this picture was taken from a Malaysia school textbook. It has gone viral on Facebook.

Tony Fernandes' Email on AirAsia Flight QZ8501 #togetherwestand

Dear [customer name], The past few weeks have been the most difficult weeks of my life since starting AirAsia 13 years ago. I wanted to reach out and thank you for the warmth and support given to all of us. Your messages of love and encouragement strengthen our resolve to be better. We will continue to provide updates as the investigation goes on. Rest assured, we are committed to reviewing and improving our products and services. We are more focused than ever to provide you with nothing but the best. Even in our toughest times, we will continue to be the world's best and be better for you. Together with my 17,000 AirAsia Allstars, we ask that you join us in praying for the family members and loved ones of those on board QZ8501. #togetherwestand Love,

MUET 2015 Calendar / MUET 2015 Test Dates

Malaysian University English Test (MUET) 2015 March Session Speaking Test: 4 – 5 February 2015, 9 – 12 February 2015 Reading, Listening & Writing Tests: 7 March 2015 July Session Speaking Test: 15 – 16 June 2015, 22 – 25 June 2015 Reading, Listening & Writing Tests: 1 August 2015 November Session Speaking Test: 7 – 10 October  September 2015, 14 – 15 October  September 2015 Reading, Listening & Writing Tests: 7 November 2015 Recommended Reading: Free MUET Tips & Essential MUET Guide . MUET 2015 Calendar / MUET 2015 Test Dates