Latest news with #MohdArifin
Daily Express
16 hours ago
- Daily Express
Schools must not cover up
Published on: Wednesday, July 23, 2025 Published on: Wed, Jul 23, 2025 By: Hayati Dzulkifli Text Size: Dr Mohd Arifin (3rd from left) said this amid public calls for transparency in the investigations and social media claims of parents pulling out their kids from the school after the incident. Kota Kinabalu: Schools in Sabah must never cover up incidents of bullying, said State Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Datuk Dr Mohd Arifin bin Mohd Arif, who is also in charge of Sabah's education matters. 'This is the official stance of the Ministry of Education. It is neither appropriate nor acceptable to hide what occurs in any school, particularly when it concerns the welfare and safety of students,' he said, after visiting Noraidah Lamat, the mother of Zara Qairina Mahathir, a Form One student of Sekolah Menengah Agama (SMA) Tun Datu Mustapha Limauan, Papar, on Monday. Dr Mohd Arifin said this amid public calls for transparency in the investigations and social media claims of parents pulling out their kids from the school after the incident. Dr Mohd Arifin who visited Zara with Director-General of Education at Queen Elizabeth Hospital on July 17, reiterated the State's commitment to fully support the authorities in investigating the death. 'Let's allow the investigation to take its course. We must wait for the outcome of the thorough official findings,' he said. Asked about the presence of surveillance systems at the school, he said CCTV is typically installed in schools and that he plans to visit the school soon. * 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
3 days ago
- Business
- Daily Express
Record RM136 million for students: Chief Minister
Published on: Monday, July 21, 2025 Published on: Mon, Jul 21, 2025 Text Size: Mohd Arifin presents the Domestic Higher Education Student Contribution (SENTOSA) at the ceremony held at the Chancellor Hall, Universiti Malaysia Sabah on Sunday. Kota Kinabalu: The State Government continues to strengthen its commitment to higher education through various targeted initiatives, including the largest allocation to date — RM136 million — for the Sabah State Government Scholarships (BKNS) this year. Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Haji Noor said the significant increase from RM50 million in 2020 reflects the government's determination to ensure access to higher education is available to all Sabahans, regardless of their socio-economic background. Advertisement 'This is a long-term investment by the government to develop a high-quality and competitive human capital. 'We do not want Sabah's youth to be left behind in education simply due to financial constraints,' he said during presentation ceremony for Sabah-Based Higher Education Students Aid Contribution (Sentosa) at the Chancellor Hall, Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), on Sunday. His speech was delivered by State Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, Datuk Dr Mohd Arifin bin Datuk Mohd Arif. Hajiji said 4,170 students would benefit from BKNS sponsorships this year, in line with the goals of the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) development policy to strengthen the education sector as a pillar of the state's progress. Hajiji who is also UMS Pro-Chancellor said that this year alone, the State Government has allocated RM77.5 million to implement 13 education aid initiatives, benefiting schools, Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs), students from institutions of higher learning, as well as Sabah student associations both locally and abroad. He added that key initiatives include the one-off IPT Registration Cash Aid (BUDI), the Computer Assistance Program (BAIK), the Sabah Malaysian Student Secretariat (SEMESTA), and the Sabah Student Flight Ticket Assistance (GRS-SUBFLY). He said Yayasan Sabah has also played a significant role in educational development, allocating RM67.17 million last year, which benefited 3,234 students. Through the Sabah Islamic Religious Council (Muis) RM92.4 million was disbursed over the past five years via the Zakat and Fitrah Division, helping more than 48,000 students across the State. To ensure continued education support, the Sabah State Education Fund (TPNS), introduced in June 2022, has benefited nearly 10,104 recipients with a total expenditure of RM15.8 million to date. He said the Sentosa assistance program, launched in March at the Gaya Campus of the Institute of Teacher Education (IPG), involves a RM6 million allocation and targets approximately 20,000 Bumiputera Sabah students within the State. 'This assistance aims to ease students' financial burden, especially for basic necessities or returning home. It also reflects the government's strong commitment to ensuring no student is left behind in their educational journey,' he said. At the event, Hajiji handed out a one-time cash aid of RM300 per student under the Sentosa program to over 600 students, including 319 from UMS and 323 from Mahsa College Sabah, who had not previously received the aid. 'I hope the students will fully utilize the assistance provided and continue striving for excellence in their respective fields, for the future of the state and the nation,' he said. * 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
Borneo Post
3 days ago
- Business
- Borneo Post
Sabah boosts higher education with RM136 million scholarship
Mohd Arifin presents the Domestic Higher Education Student Contribution (SENTOSA) at the ceremony held at the Chancellor Hall, Universiti Malaysia Sabah on Sunday. KOTA KINABALU (July 20): The State Government continues to strengthen its commitment to higher education development through targeted initiatives, including the highest-ever allocation of RM136 million this year for the Sabah State Government Scholarship (BKNS). Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor said the significant increase from RM50 million in 2020 to RM136 million this year reflects the government's determination to ensure that all Sabahans have access to higher education, regardless of their socio-economic background. 'This is the government's long-term investment in developing high-quality and competitive human capital. We do not want Sabah's children to be left behind in education simply because of financial constraints,' he said. His speech was delivered by Science, Technology and Innovation Minister cum Education Exco, Datuk Mohd Arifin Mohd Arif, during the presentation ceremony of the Sumbangan Mahasiswa Pengajian Tinggi Dalam Negeri Sabah (SENTOSA) at Dewan Canselor, Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) on Sunday. Hajiji said a total of 4,170 students will benefit from BKNS sponsorships this year, in line with the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) policy, which positions education as a key pillar of the state's progress. He added that RM77.5 million has also been allocated this year for 13 educational aid initiatives, benefiting schools, Parent-Teacher Associations (PIBG), students in higher learning institutions (IPT), as well as Sabah student associations within and outside Malaysia. Among the key initiatives are the one-off Bantuan Tunai Pendaftaran IPT (BUDI), the Bantuan Ihsan Komputer (BAIK), the Sekretariat Mahasiswa Sabah Malaysia (SEMESTA), and the Bantuan Tiket Penerbangan Pelajar Sabah (GRS-SUBFLY). In addition, Yayasan Sabah contributed RM67.17 million last year for educational development, benefitting 3,234 students. Meanwhile, the Sabah Islamic Religious Council (MUIS), through its Zakat and Fitrah Division, has disbursed RM92.4 million over the past five years, helping more than 48,000 students. The Tabung Pendidikan Negeri Sabah (TPNS), introduced in June 2022, has assisted nearly 10,104 recipients, with a total expenditure of RM15.8 million. The SENTOSA aid programme, launched last March at IPG Gaya Campus, involves an allocation of RM6 million and aims to benefit 20,000 Bumiputera Sabah students in local higher education institutions. 'This assistance aims to ease students' financial burden, particularly for essential needs and travel costs. It also reflects the government's commitment to ensuring no student is left behind,' he said. At the event, Hajiji presented the one-off SENTOSA cash aid of RM300 each to over 600 students — comprising 319 from UMS and 323 from MAHSA College Sabah — who had not previously received the assistance. 'I hope the students will fully utilise the aid provided and continue striving for excellence in their respective fields for the future of the state and the nation,' he added.
Daily Express
24-06-2025
- Politics
- Daily Express
Over 10,000 students benefit from education fund
Published on: Tuesday, June 24, 2025 Published on: Tue, Jun 24, 2025 Text Size: Mohd Arifin receiving a token of appreciation from Arshad Idris after officiating the Gagasan Rakyat Karambunai Division Annual General Meeting. Kota Kinabalu: More than 10,000 students benefited from the Sabah State Education Fund (TPNS) since its launch two years ago, receiving much-needed support to pay for tuition fees at both public and private universities nationwide. State Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Datuk Dr Mohd Arifin Mohd Arif, said the State government allocated nearly RM13 million to TPNS to date, underscoring the strong commitment of Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor to Sabah's education sector. 'This reflects the Chief Minister's serious focus on education, including increasing the allocation for the Sabah State Government Scholarship (BKNS) from RM50 million to RM125 million to assist Sabah's youth,' he said. Speaking at the Gagasan Rakyat Karambunai Division's Annual General Meeting at the Rafflesia Hall, Kota Kinabalu Polytechnic, Mohd Arifin added that RM74 million in total had been channelled toward various other education initiatives, including the Yayasan Sabah Scholarship. He also revealed that the Chief Minister will soon announce more education-focused initiatives, specifically targeting Sabah's students. Among the new efforts is the Sukses programme – a one-off RM3,000 allocation for every school in Sabah to fund co-curricular activities and essential needs. Advertisement In addition, a Sentosa one-off contribution of RM300 will be given to every student pursuing higher education at institutions within Sabah. 'These are just some of the many initiatives introduced by the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) government under the leadership of Chief Minister Hajiji, who remains dedicated to the educational welfare of our children,' he said. On the political front, Mohd Arifin expressed confidence that the Gagasan Rakyat Karambunai Division would help secure a seat in the upcoming 17th Sabah State Election. 'With Datuk Arshad Idris actively working on the ground and addressing community issues, we are confident that Karambunai will deliver a win for GRS. All members must be ready to work hard to ensure victory,' he said. * 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
14-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
RM155 million zakat collection target this year
Published on: Saturday, June 14, 2025 Published on: Sat, Jun 14, 2025 Text Size: Musa (middle) and Mohd Arifin (5th right) witnessing the handing over a business zakat mock cheque from PNB Group Chairman, Arshad (fifth from left) to Yahya while others look on. Kota Kinabalu: The Sabah Islamic Religious Council (Muis) is targeting a total zakat collection of RM155 million this year. Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Datuk Dr Mohd Arifin Arif who is also in charge of Islamic affairs in Sabah said the target includes payroll zakat, which contributes around 40 per cent of the total zakat collected. 'For your information, In Shaa Allah (God willing), we are targeting the zakat collections of RM155 million this year. Among the largest contributors is from payroll zakat, which makes up about 40 per cent, followed by business zakat. Advertisement 'We also welcome any company or government-linked company (GLC) to continue fulfilling their zakat obligations,' he said. Mohd Arifin said this at the 2024 Business Zakat Handover Ceremony by Permodalan Nasional Berhad (PNB) Group Chairman, Tan Sri Arshad Raja Uda, to the Musi President, Datuk Seri Yahya Hussin. The zakat handover was witnessed by the Head of State of Sabah, Tun Musa Aman, at the Istana Seri Kinabalu here on Thursday. Also present were PNB Group President and its CEO Datuk Abdul Rahman Ahmad, Sabah State Mufti Datuk Bungsu @ Aziz Jaafar, MUIS CEO Ramlan Awang Ali, PNB Deputy President and Group CEO Datuk Rick Ramli, Amanah Saham Nasional Berhad (ASNB) CEO cum Executive Director Fadzihan Abbas Mohamed Ramlee, and Head of Shariah Management Dr. Ahmad Basri Ibrahim. As of June 11, he said MUIS recorded zakat collections totalling RM58,263,703.96, compared to distributions amounting to RM63,712,668.71. He said payroll zakat contributed 51.43 per cent (RM29,962,478.35), followed by business zakat at 17.91 per cent (RM10,437,740.93), income zakat at 8.1 per cent (RM4,719,458.40), and savings zakat at 6.4 per cent (RM3,726,641.83). Other types of zakat, including zakat on gold and silver, shares, agriculture, and livestock, he said each contributed less than two per cent. * 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
