
Fadhlina fires back at Rafizi, defends work as minister
SELAYANG : Education minister Fadhlina Sidek has hit back at her PKR colleague Rafizi Ramli, who had criticised her ministry for apparently failing to come up with any 'major policy framework' since the government's formation.
Fadhlina said every major policy and reform planned for the education ministry had been thoroughly discussed at Cabinet meetings, chaired by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
'We have already tabled the major policy matters, including reforms we want to carry out.
'So there's no such thing as us not doing anything, because everything has already been discussed at the Cabinet meetings,' the Wanita PKR chief told reporters after an event here.
Rafizi was part of the Cabinet until June 17.
On Friday, Rafizi parried criticism over his resignation as economy minister, saying his critics should train their guns on the education ministry instead for not introducing any major policy framework after two-and-a-half years.
The former PKR deputy president argued that he had completed most of his key initiatives during his tenure, including the 13th Malaysia Plan, energy transition, labour market reforms, progressive wage policy, fiscal reforms, targeted subsidies and digital government initiatives.
Fadhlina had defended her post as Wanita PKR chief in the party's elections last month, defeating Ampang MP Rodziah Ismail, who was aligned with Rafizi.
Rafizi meanwhile lost the PKR deputy presidency to Nurul Izzah Anwar.

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


Free Malaysia Today
3 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Muhyiddin denies defending subsidies for foreigners
PN chairman Muhyiddin Yassin said the coalition's fundamental policy on subsidies has always been that they should be for Malaysians, not foreigners. PETALING JAYA : Perikatan Nasional chairman Muhyiddin Yassin has denied defending the distribution of government subsidies to foreigners, urging Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to furnish proof he had ever made such a statement. In a video posted on Facebook, Muhyiddin said Anwar's claim that he had made such a remark was slanderous. 'I have never said such a thing. From the beginning, our fundamental policy on subsidies has been that they are meant for Malaysians, not foreigners. 'I want to ask where Anwar read or heard that (purported statement), because there's definitely none. 'What was the source, and was it genuine or fake?' asked the Bersatu president. Earlier today, Sinar Harian quoted Anwar as saying that Muhyiddin had questioned the government for burdening foreigners when they had also made significant contributions to the country. The prime minister said the government had decided on targeted subsidies for electricity and RON95 petrol so that they could continue helping Malaysians while reducing the nation's fiscal deficit.


The Sun
7 hours ago
- The Sun
Malaysia vies for UNESCO executive board seat in final nomination phase
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is nearing the final phase of its bid for a seat on the UNESCO Executive Board, with the official announcement set for the UNESCO General Conference in Paris this November. Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek confirmed the country's active campaign, emphasizing the need for strong backing from member states. 'Several rounds have already taken place, particularly during the early campaign phase, and we are now in the final round. God willing, in November, we will conclude our final tasks before the decision is announced,' she said at the Cicipan Kebaya event organised by the Malaysian National Commission for UNESCO (SKUM). Fadhlina, who also serves as SKUM president, highlighted that the event was part of Malaysia's broader campaign, coinciding with UNESCO's recognition of the kebaya as an Intangible Cultural Heritage last December. Further promotional efforts included a visit to Kilim Geoforest Park in Langkawi during the ASEAN Education Ministers' Meeting in June. 'Kilim is the first geopark in Malaysia to receive UNESCO recognition, and the visit showcased our commitment to environmental conservation,' said Fadzilah Fadzil, secretary of the Ministry of Education's Strategic Planning and International Relations Division. The campaign has also been advanced through Malaysia's Permanent Mission to UNESCO in Paris, with five receptions held so far. 'We explained Malaysia's vision and how we can contribute to UNESCO's global agenda, particularly in education, heritage, and sustainability,' Fadzilah added. - Bernama


Free Malaysia Today
8 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
MP questions ‘secret' gazetting of new KL planning rules
Seputeh MP Teresa Kok said the new planning rules weakened transparency and limited public objections to development projects. PETALING JAYA : DAP's Teresa Kok has criticised the government for 'secretly' gazetting new planning regulations for Kuala Lumpur, which sidelined public consultation and handed excessive power to the city mayor. Kok said civil society organisations only recently became aware of the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur Planning Rules 2025, which were gazetted on June 13 and took effect three days later. 'I want to ask the government why these new planning rules were gazetted without any public consultation or engagement with stakeholders, especially in the spirit of participatory governance?' She spoke on the issue while debating the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) in the Dewan Rakyat this evening. Kok said Rule 3 of the new guidelines only required the mayor to consult others if it is deemed necessary, leaving no guarantee of public input. She said the rules, which replace decades-old planning laws, weakened transparency and limited public objections to development projects. She urged the government to review the rules and explain how they were formulated. On education, Kok said the 13MP's focus on TVET was not enough to fix parents' declining confidence in public schools. 'For urban communities, more and more parents are choosing to send their children to private primary and secondary schools, or even resort to homeschooling. 'This is due to a growing lack of confidence in the national education system,' she said, adding that a nationwide survey must be carried out to understand this trend. Kok, who once served as primary industries minister, also spoke on the RM1.4 billion allocation over five years for replanting of oil palm. She said this was insufficient, covering only 0.5% of the country's plantations annually. At RM20,000 per hectare, the allocation allows just 14,000 hectares to be replanted annually, or 28,000ha with a 50% subsidy. 'This allocation fails to meet the minimum 4% annual replanting target,' she said. As such, Kok urged the government to tap windfall tax revenue from the oil palm industry to help smallholders, who work on a quarter of Malaysia's planted area.