Skills training to uplift B40 women in Johor
THIRTY underprivileged women from Johor, including single mothers and those facing financial hardship, are set to gain skills training and economic empowerment through the newly launched Ratu programme.
Initiated by Port of Tanjung Pelepas (PTP) in collaboration with Johor Port Authority (JPA) and Yayasan Pembangunan Keluarga Darul Ta'zim (YPKDT), Ratu aims to uplift women from the B40 group by equipping them with essential skills for financial independence and entrepreneurship.
Johor women, family and community development committee chairman Khairin-Nisa Ismail praised the collaboration between PTP, JPA and YPKDT, describing it as a strategic partnership focused on creating lasting impact for the community.
'I am confident and optimistic that this synergy between PTP, JPA and YPKDT serves as a catalyst for continued initiatives that transform lives, shaping a more progressive and inclusive society.
'Ratu, in Bahasa Malaysia, stands for Rintis (Pioneer), Aspirasi (Aspiration), Tegar (Resilient), and Unggul (Superior).
'As implied in the name Ratu, we hope to see the women who receive this support rise beyond the B40 category and step forward as future leaders in entrepreneurship,' she said during the launch ceremony.
JPA chairman Rosnan Fathlal said JPA's commitment extended beyond port operations, with a strong focus on education, training and socio-economic development.
'As the regulatory authority overseeing one of Malaysia's most vital maritime gateways, JPA recognises the importance of fostering socio-economic development alongside industrial growth.
'Our collaboration with PTP has long been established, and we are pleased to join hands with YPKDT in this meaningful endeavour.
'By working together, we are able to create a more significant and lasting impact, ensuring that underprivileged women across Johor receive the necessary support and opportunities to achieve financial independence and sustainable livelihoods,' he said.
PTP chairman Tan Sri Che Khalib Mohamad Noh also spoke on PTP's dedication to diversity, highlighting that it had paved the way for women in male-dominated industries.
'Beyond the Ratu initiative, we are also aligning with Ekonomi Madani's aspirations to increase women's participation in the workforce.
'It is a privilege to witness the tangible progress we have made, as PTP is home to Malaysia's first women marine harbour pilot and first rubber-tyred gantry (RTG) crane operator, alongside a growing number of women prime mover drivers,' he said.
As PTP celebrates its 25th anniversary and JPA its 50th, this initiative marks a milestone in their ongoing efforts to uplift communities.
Since its inception, PTP has impacted over 2,120 individuals through its CSR initiatives.
With Ratu, women from Johor Baru, Gelang Patah, Iskandar Puteri and Pasir Gudang now have access to training, resources and support networks that empower them to build a better future for themselves and their families.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
2 days ago
- The Star
CGPA now key to JPA payback
New sponsorship model linking loan repayment to academic performance offers freedom, but students want tweaks STUDENTS say the new merit-based sponsorship model recently introduced by the Public Services Department (JPA) gives them more control over their future, but they are calling for improved measures to ensure fairness. Under the new model, called PBU Akademik, JPA-sponsored students in the pre-service training programme – excluding those in medicine, dentistry and pharmacy – will benefit from reduced loan repayment rates based on their final cumulative grade point average (CGPA). In addition, repayment exemption will be granted to students who secure employment in the public sector aligned with their qualifications. This marks a departure from the previous 2016 service placement merit-based convertible loan scheme (PBU 2016), where repayment exemption or reduction was based on the students' employment sector. The change, announced on April 28, took effect on June 1 for all new JPA-sponsored students, excluding scholarship recipients. Existing students under PBU 2016 – such as Welda Eliana Jimmy, Nur Amal Hamimi Mohamad Yadi and Mohamad Naufal Shaheer, all aged 23 and set to graduate next year – will have the option to switch to the new model in stages beginning Jan 1. Welda, who hails from Sabah, said the announcement was a relief. 'I was unsure whether I should go into government service or explore the private sector. But now, I have more freedom to choose, without worrying about repayment,' she told StarEdu. She added that although she had already aimed for good grades, there's now even more incentive to do well. Nur Amal Hamimi, from Sarawak, expressed a preference for the new system 'right away'. 'You have more control over your grades than your job placements. It feels more student-friendly,' she said. She also shared that she and her friends are putting in extra effort to maintain high grades and reduce future repayment amounts. Meanwhile, Mohamad Naufal Shaheer, from Kedah, said the PBU Akademik felt like a big change. 'I'm nervous but also grateful. The job market isn't stable, and not everyone gets into government jobs straightaway. This gives students more realistic options. 'It definitely pushes me to study harder. Your CGPA affects not just your future career but your financial obligations too,' he said. He, however, raised concerns that basing repayment reductions on academic performance may add pressure. 'Some students might feel suffocated – like there's no room for mistakes because everything rides on your CGPA,' he said. Nur Amal Hamimi also raised concerns about fairness of applying a single CGPA benchmark across diverse academic disciplines. 'Courses like engineering and law are harder and have stricter grading. Students in these fields may be more hardworking but still end up paying more just because it's harder to score high. 'Maybe JPA can adjust repayment rates based on course difficulty,' she said. Mohamad Naufal Shaheer suggested setting different CGPA benchmarks for different fields. 'It's not fair to expect the same CGPA from every course,' he said. While acknowledging that the new system might not affect all students equally, Welda said students were informed about the model before applying. 'They know what they're getting into. It's already aligned with JPA's entry CGPA requirements – 3.0 for engineering, 3.3 for others,' she said. On the repayment exemption for those accepted into civil service, Mohamad Naufal Shaheer said it is a practical incentive. 'It definitely makes the public sector more attractive to students who want a clear repayment path or job stability,' he said. Welda, while unsure of her future direction, is open to contributing to the civil service. 'It's only for a certain number of years, and it's a good experience,' she said Nur Amal Hamimi, on the other hand, emphasised personal growth and job satisfaction. 'The full exemption is a big plus, but I would still consider factors like salary and opportunities,' she said. The JPA, in a statement issued on April 28, said students obtaining a CGPA of 3.75 to 4.00 will repay only 5% of their loans, while those with a CGPA between 3.50 and 3.74 will pay 10%. 'Repayment rates are set at 15% for a CGPA between 3.00 and 3.49, and 20% for those with a CGPA below 3.00 or who take longer to complete their studies. 'Students who score below a 3.00 CGPA or fail will be required to repay the full loan amount,' the statement read. Students pursuing medicine, dentistry and pharmacy will receive full loan exemption if they successfully complete their studies and fulfil their government service contract, JPA said. 'For students who completed their studies and are currently repaying loans under the old scheme, they are instructed to pause payments starting June 1, until the option to switch is available,' it added. Under the previous PBU 2016 scheme, students were exempted from repayment if they served in the public sector or required to repay 25% if employed by a government-linked company, 50% if working in a private company within the country, or the full loan amount if they worked abroad. Fiona, 22, a student in Sarawak, is a participant of the BRATs Young Journalist Programme run by The Star's Newspaper-in-Education (Star-NiE) team. For updates on the BRATs programme, go to With the theme of the article in mind, carry out the following English language activities. 1 Prepare three statements based on the article. Have your activity partner decide whether each statement is true or false. Then, correct any false statements together. 2 Do you think other study loan providers should consider introducing similar repayment schemes based on academic performance? Why or why not? Discuss your opinions with your classmates. The Star's Newspaper-in-Education (Star-NiE) programme promotes English language learning in primary and secondary schools nationwide. For Star-NiE enquiries, email starnie@
The Star
6 days ago
- The Star
Farmer makes good money from coconuts
WHILE most were chasing profits from oil palm, Abu Hassan Abdullah saw greater potential in coconuts. He earns up to RM13,000 a month from 500 coconut trees and is thriving in the coconut business, Kosmo! reported. The 48-year-old from Bentong, who is also a member of the Malaysian Coconut Entrepreneurs Association, said he started planting coconuts in 2018 due to their high market demand. He then expanded his business by selling fresh coconut-based products, including coconut shakes. 'At first, it was tough as the seeds were expensive and I had to build the fences myself. 'But after three years, the trees started bearing fruit and I worked hard to sell the harvest on my own without relying on any third parties. 'Now I sell more than 7,800 coconuts per week, and the results are truly rewarding,' said Abu. Demand for coconuts increases during public holidays and especially before festive seasons, he noted. 'If I bring 500 coconuts to the market, they sell out really fast,' he added. > Amidst fan adoration and industry pressure, Indonesian singer Raisa Andriana, 35, continues to prioritise authenticity in her music. Raisa shared that while she and her team do consider public expectations and industry trends when shaping her artistic image, she remains firmly grounded in staying true to herself. 'I don't deny that expectations from various parties are often a major challenge when determining the direction of my art,' she said, reported Utusan Malaysia. The above article is compiled from the vernacular newspapers (Bahasa Malaysia, Chinese and Tamil dailies). As such, stories are grouped according to the respective language/medium. Where a paragraph begins with this ' >'sign, it denotes a separate news item.
The Star
27-07-2025
- The Star
Alcohol ban on women ends
WOMEN in Sri Lanka will now be allowed to buy or sell alcohol following the government's move to lift the restriction, Malaysia Nanban reported. There has been a prohibition on women buying alcohol, drinking in bars, selling alcoholic drinks in shops or working in alcohol production since 1979 in the South Asian island nation. Back in 2018, the ban was briefly lifted by order of the finance minister but president Maithripala Sirisena reimposed the law just a day later. Activists took the matter to court. The current administration led by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake later said they have issued an order repealing the ban. (The above articles are compiled from the vernacular newspapers (Bahasa Malaysia, Chinese and Tamil dailies). As such, stories are grouped according to the respective language/medium. Where a paragraph begins with a >, it denotes a separate news item.)
