Comms Ministry Hails Bernama's Record-breaking 25-hour Malaysia Day Broadcast
PUTRAJAYA, July 14 (Bernama) – The Ministry of Communications today paid tribute to the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) for its record-breaking 25-hour multilingual broadcast during Malaysia Day 2019, describing it as a powerful symbol of national unity and journalistic excellence.
Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching, in a Facebook post, praised Bernama for its commitment to promoting multilingualism and inclusive storytelling across its radio, television and digital platforms.
The 25-hour broadcast, which aired in multiple languages, was officially recognised by the Malaysia Book of Records and highlighted Bernama's dedication to serving Malaysians of all backgrounds.
'Congratulations to Bernama and the Malaysia Book of Records (MBR) for continuing to tell powerful Malaysian stories. Here's to 10,000 records and many more years of inspiring achievements from every corner of our beloved nation,' she said.
Teo also commended Bernama's latest initiative — the upcoming Malaysia Luar Biasa television series, set to premiere on 26 August 2025.
The series will spotlight extraordinary Malaysians including international tower runner Soh Wai Ching, round-the-clock grocery outlet ST Rosyam, and Datuk M. Magendran, the first Malaysian to scale Mount Everest.
Last Friday, Bernama was honoured with the Media and Association Appreciation award by MBR, in recognition of its role in documenting and promoting national achievements. The award was received by Bernama Chief Executive Officer Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin.
Meanwhile, Teo, who officiated the 30th anniversary celebration of the Malaysia Book of Records, described the organisation as a proud symbol of the nation's spirit and determination.
'Since 1995, MBR has recognised nearly 8,000 records, showcasing the best of Malaysians in science, innovation, sports, arts and culture,' she said.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Malaysian Reserve
27 minutes ago
- Malaysian Reserve
Ringgit opens higher against US dollar on upbeat China data
THE ringgit opened higher against the US dollar on Tuesday, in line with strengthening Chinese yuan supported by upbeat China's June economic data release, said an analyst. At 8 am, the ringgit strengthened to 4.2445/2670 against the greenback, from Monday's close of 4.2505/2560. Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd chief economist Dr Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid said the data from China, including exports, money supply and new loans, reflects the positive impact of recent economic stimulus measures. 'At the current juncture, the ringgit and Chinese yuan have positively correlated in the region of 80 per cent, with the yuan remaining stable against the US dollar,' he told Bernama. Mohd Afzanizam said the ringgit's gains came despite the US dollar index (DXY) climbing to 98.106 points, as markets reacted to ongoing United States (US) tariff uncertainties and President Donald Trump's signals of willingness to negotiate, including with the European Union. 'Risky assets such as equities closed higher while the US Treasury yields were rising, reflecting concern over inflation,' he said. Yesterday, Mohd Afzanizam said the ringgit closed 0.08 per cent lower against the US dollar to 4.2533. 'As such, expect ringgit to trade between 4.24 and 4.25 today,' he added. At the open, the ringgit was higher against a basket of major currencies. It advanced against the Japanese yen to 2.8720/8874 from Monday's close of 2.8858/8897, strengthened against the British pound to 5.6987/7289 from 5.7305/7379, and gained versus the euro to 4.9512/9775 from 4.9693/9757 previously. The local note was also firmer against most ASEAN currencies. It rose vis-a-vis the Singapore dollar to 3.3093/3271 from 3.3184/3229, rose against the Thai baht to 13.0660/1450 from 13.1213/1439, edged up against the Indonesian rupiah to 261.1/262.7 from 261.5/262.0, and appreciated versus the Philippine peso to 7.49/7.53 from 7.50/7.51. — BERNAMA


Daily Express
33 minutes ago
- Daily Express
Hong Kong Express Airway picks Sabah as its third Malaysian destination
Published on: Tuesday, July 15, 2025 Published on: Tue, Jul 15, 2025 Text Size: The daily flights will begin on Nov 27 2025, operating to and from Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI). Kota Kinabalu: Hong Kong (HK) Express Airways is expanding its presence in Malaysia with the launch of a new direct route connecting Hong Kong to Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. The daily flights will begin on Nov 27 2025, operating to and from Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI). Advertisement This marks the airline's third destination in Malaysia, following Penang and the soon-to-be-launched Kuala Lumpur (Subang) route. In a statement, HK Express CEO Jeanette Mao said Malaysia has emerged as one of Asia's most popular destinations, with tourist arrivals rising more than 20 per cent year-on-year in the first quarter of 2025. 'The easing of visa restrictions, especially for travellers from Mainland China, has made Malaysia the second-largest international tourist market. We're excited to add Kota Kinabalu to our growing Malaysian network, and remain committed to offering competitive fares and value-added services for travellers eager to explore this vibrant destination,' she said. The new route is expected to boost air connectivity between North Asia and East Malaysia while positioning Sabah as a key eco-tourism and adventure destination in the region. Sabah Tourism Board CEO Julinus Jeffery Jimit welcomed the move, saying the direct link will open new opportunities for travellers to discover Sabah's natural beauty and unique culture. 'This is a significant milestone for Sabah. With seamless access via Hong Kong, one of the world's top aviation hubs, this new route will increase our global reach. We invite travellers to explore Sabah—from Kinabalu Park to Sipadan Island, and from orangutan sanctuaries to pristine beaches and stunning sunsets,' he said. He added that the state's tourism efforts are anchored in sustainability, with a focus on conservation, eco-adventures, and community engagement. To celebrate the launch, HK Express is offering one-way tickets starting from under HK$90 (Ultra Lite fare, includes one small personal item) across all its Malaysian routes: Kota Kinabalu, Kuala Lumpur (Subang), and Penang. The promotional booking period runs from 11am on July 14 to 11.45pm on July 17 2025 via the HK Express website and mobile app. The promotional fares are valid for travel to Kota Kinabalu from Nov 27 2025 until March 28 2026. For Kuala Lumpur (Subang), the applicable travel period is from August 1 2025 to March 28 2026. Meanwhile, travel to Penang is valid from July 22 2025 through to March 28 2026. Flight UO790 will depart Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) at 9.25pm and arrive at Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI) at 12.30am the following day. Flight UO791 will depart Kota Kinabalu (BKI) at 1.30am and arrive in Hong Kong (HKG) at 4.45am. Both flights will operate daily. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia


Daily Express
33 minutes ago
- Daily Express
Not lacking opportunities but lacking needed skills
Published on: Tuesday, July 15, 2025 Published on: Tue, Jul 15, 2025 By: Crystal E Hermenegildus Text Size: Vun receiving a souvenir after the panel discussion. Kota Kinabalu: Despite holding formal qualifications, many graduates in Sabah are failing to secure jobs not due to a lack of opportunities, but because they lack the very skills employers need. Council member of the Federation of Sabah Industries (FSI), Ir Jess Vun, said 60 per cent of Malaysian employers report a mismatch between job seekers' skills and the demands of the workforce, particularly among graduates from Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programmes. Advertisement She said while technical skills are one concern, soft skills – like communication, teamwork and humility – are proving equally scarce. 'Some graduates think they deserve RM8,000 a month but refuse to do basic tasks like photocopying. They say, 'That's not my job.' They lack humility and real-world readiness.' She said this during a sub-theme panel discussion session during the Sabah TVET Symposium 2025 themed Sustainable TVET for Sabah's Future Human Capital: Integrated TVET System, here, recently. The issue is especially alarming in Sabah, where unemployment remains the highest in the country at around 7.9 per cent. Yet, Vun said more than half of employers report struggling to find suitable candidates to fill positions. 'There's something wrong somewhere,' Vun said. 'How can so many people be looking for jobs, and yet so many companies say they can't hire?' She said factory owners have turned to female workers to fill the gaps left by male candidates who have either dropped out of the workforce or shifted their career goals entirely. 'Over time, gender inequality in Sabah may no longer be a concern. However, it's worrying that many of the remaining workers are women, as men seem to have opted out,' she said. Instead of entering the workforce through conventional roles, many graduates – university-educated or not – are opting to become YouTubers or Grab drivers, drawn by the promise of higher income and flexibility. 'One Sabahan didn't even finish university but is now a millionaire YouTuber. Others prefer to drive Grab. They see it as more profitable than using the skills they were trained in,' Vun said. This trend suggests a loss of confidence in the traditional employment path and points to a broader issue: the lack of compelling, skill-aligned jobs that appeal to younger generations. For employers, it means fewer skilled candidates to hire. For graduates, it often means underemployment – or working outside their field entirely. Vun proposed a three-part strategy to bridge the gap between education and employability. 'Firstly, we must move from theory to practice. Most polytechnics and technical colleges have Industrial Advisory Boards – these boards must review the curriculum every six months. The updates must be driven by industry needs, not by outdated academic standards. 'Secondly, we need to embed micro-credentials into TVET programmes. These are competency certificates that recognise practical, professional, and technical skills beyond traditional coursework. For example, Simed Malaysia and Polytechnic Malaysia co-designed an automation module, and 100 per cent of the graduates were hired. This shows that when industry and education collaborate, graduates become job-ready. 'Thirdly, themeaningful Apprenticeships and Earn-While-You-Learn models. Two- or three-month industrial training during semester breaks is not enough. A minimum of six months is needed for real learning to occur. 'Programmes should integrate work and study – for example, three days on the job, two days in the classroom – to build both income and experience,' Vun said. The issue, however, doesn't lie solely with students. Vun also said many TVET trainers themselves lack industrial experience, having transitioned into teaching with limited time in actual factories or companies. 'You can't expect your students to be practical if you're not,' Vun argued. 'A lot of university lecturers have never worked in the fields they teach. That must change.' Vun proposed introducing 'industrial professors' – veteran professionals who can deliver masterclasses based on lived experience rather than theory. Trainers should also be required to shadow industries quarterly to stay updated with real-world practices. To truly transform graduate outcomes, Vun also outlined a four-step roadmap for government and educational institutions: First is to tie Memorandum of Understandings (MOUs) to Key Performance indicators (KPIs). Vun said every industry partnership must include clear targets, such as 70 per cent employment rates, and must result in real knowledge and experience transfer. Then, incentivise employers. She said tax breaks and levy grants should be offered to companies that collaborate on training, curriculum, and apprenticeships. Next is digital feedback loops. Real-time dashboards should be developed to track hiring success, skills gaps, and programme effectiveness. Lastly, streamline approvals. Approval for new industry-linked programmes must be accelerated – no more five- or 10-year delays. 'Just talking about knowledge is not enough. Experience is everything. We need to walk the talk,' Vun said. She cited an example of an engineer who couldn't fix an air-conditioner, while a technician without formal education could. 'One has the certificate but no skill. The other has the skill but no certificate. That's why competency-based training matters,' Vun said. Sabah – and Malaysia as a whole – must rethink how we prepare our graduates. Without real change, the country risks producing more degrees, but fewer people who can actually do the job. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia