Latest news with #NIBONGTEBAL
The Star
a day ago
- The Star
Fadhlina: Stick to ministry-approved development programmes
NIBONG TEBAL: Teachers have been advised to avoid motivational programmes organised by external entities that lack clear content. Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek (pic) said teachers should refer to the ministry for appropriate support. 'We should avoid getting involved in motivational programmes if we are unsure of the content and 'substance'. 'We should focus on our issues at the school level,' she said in a media conference after visiting SMK Taman Widuri here yesterday, Bernama reported. Elaborating further, Fadhlina said the ministry has various development and motivational programmes for teachers, including counselling services that can be fully utilised. 'We do not want our teachers involved in programmes that can raise doubts or undermine the integrity of the teaching profession. 'We provide many internal development programmes. 'Therefore, my advice is to be careful. Avoid participating in inappropriate external programmes,' she said. She was commenting on the marriage motivation programme (eHATI) targeting working women facing household crises. On Sunday, Selangor police chief Comm Datuk Hussein Omar Khan said an inquiry paper had been opened to identify offences related to the eHATI marriage motivational programme, which was accused of promoting inappropriate and provocative content. He said that they intend to call in numerous witnesses to verify the allegations, which include the purported hallucination-causing use of water.
The Sun
2 days ago
- The Sun
Teachers warned against unclear motivational programmes by Fadhlina
NIBONG TEBAL: Ministry of Education (MOE) members have been advised to steer clear of motivational programmes organised by external entities if the content is unclear. Minister Fadhlina Sidek emphasised the need for teachers to seek ministry-approved support instead. 'We should avoid getting involved in motivational programmes whose content and 'substance' we are unsure of. We should focus on our issues at the school level,' she said during a media conference after visiting SMK Taman Widuri. Her remarks followed concerns over the eHATI marriage motivational programme, which targets working women facing household crises. The programme has drawn criticism for allegedly promoting inappropriate content. Fadhlina highlighted that the MOE offers various development and motivational programmes for teachers, including counselling services. 'We do not want our teachers involved in programmes that can raise doubts or undermine the integrity of the teaching profession,' she added. Selangor police chief Datuk Hussein Omar Khan confirmed that an inquiry paper has been opened to investigate potential criminal offences linked to the eHATI programme. Witnesses will be called to verify claims, including the alleged use of hallucinogenic substances. - Bernama
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Avoid dubious external motivational programmes, Fadhlina cautions teachers
NIBONG TEBAL: Teachers should avoid participating in external motivational programmes with dubious substance. Highlighting the need to prioritise programmes that genuinely support teacher development, Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek warned against participating in unsuitable motivation programmes. She was asked if any teachers had participated in a recent family motivation programme in Selangor following claims of immoral activities during the session. The family motivational programme targeted working women. "Teachers, if you lack motivation, come see me. I can give motivation. This is a serious matter. If possible, we should avoid motivational programmes whose content and substance we do not know," she said after a working visit to SMK Taman Widuri here today. It was reported that Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari had asked the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (Jais) to investigate allegations of immoral activities during a family motivational programme at a convention centre in Selangor recently. Elaborating, Fadhlina said teachers should focus on issues at the school level. "We also have teacher development and motivational programmes, as well as counselling and many other teacher development programmes that I think are important. "So, if there are unsuitable programmes, they should be avoided. My advice is to be careful when joining outside programmes and focus on motivation within the education context," she added. Fadhlina was met after a review session of the 'Program Anak Kita' national student intervention initiative, which aims to improve academic outcomes through tailored, school-based support. She reiterated that the ministry already offered structured professional development, including personal coaching, psychosocial counselling and targeted subject mentoring — all developed with direct input from educators. "Motivational support should be grounded in our system, aligned with the needs of both teachers and students. We already have strong internal programmes," she said.
The Star
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Star
Unity Week 2025 offers Rumah Kami cultural expo, discounts on summonses
NIBONG TEBAL: The 2025 National Unity Week (SMP) celebration, set to take place over four days from Thursday (July 17) at Batu Kawan Stadium here, promises a variety of exciting and interactive activities for visitors. Penang National Unity and Integration Department director Rozai Zahar Nedi (pic) said among the main attractions will be traffic summons discounts of between 30% and 50% offered by the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) and the Penang Island City Council (MBPP). He said this third edition, following previous ones in Kuching (2023) and Johor (2024), will feature the Rumah Kami exhibition, showcasing 24 ethnic groups from across the country, including the Siamese, Chetti, Kerinci, Melayu Brunei, Baba Nyonya, Kedayan and Bisaya. "Visitors will be able to step inside these traditional houses and experience their culture, food, weddings and attire firsthand. "There will also be live cooking demonstrations, giving visitors a chance to sample their unique cuisines throughout the four-day event,' he said when interviewed at the Seberang Perai Selatan Unity Complex here recently. "It's more than just displaying the architecture of each ethnic group, we're filling these houses with traditional attire, cultural performances, dances and music specially curated for visitors,' he said. Rozai Zahar said SMP 2025 will also feature exhibitions by 43 government departments and agencies, entrepreneur showcases under the Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Ministry, displays and product sales by Progressive Rukun Tetangga Areas, a book fair, foodunites and food trucks, e-sports and traditional games, as well as performances by popular artists. For security and defence enthusiasts, he said there will be a display of assets by the Malaysian Armed Forces, PDRM, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency and Civil Defence Force. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will launch the event at 10.30am on Saturday (July 19), and is expected to join visitors at the Foodunites area, which will offer over 130 traditional dishes at affordable prices. This year's northern zone edition of SMP is themed "Unity in Diversity: Fostering Social Harmony Through Shared Moments of Unity", Rozai Zahar said. Its objective is to raise public awareness on the importance of preserving national unity and integration as the foundation for a harmonious, prosperous and stable nation, he added. The event also aims to ignite a spirit of patriotism and love for the country, fostering a society where unity is reflected in daily interactions, guided by mutual respect, cooperation, and tolerance, ultimately encouraging greater community engagement, he said. According to Rozai Zahar, free Rapid Penang bus services will run between Sungai Nibong, Seberang Jaya, and Batu Kawan Stadium, while AirAsia Ride will offer discounted fares to the venue. "SMP isn't just a programme by the National Unity Ministry, it also involves other ministries, such as the Education Ministry. "This is not merely a festival, but an informative platform designed to directly engage and educate the public,' he stressed. – Bernama
The Sun
6 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Only one bus driver filed wage complaint in 2025, says Sim
NIBONG TEBAL: The Human Resources Ministry (KESUMA) has recorded only one complaint this year from a bus driver regarding non-payment of the RM1,700 minimum wage. Minister Steven Sim revealed that the complaint was filed in the first half of 2025, with no similar reports received in 2024. Despite the low number of complaints, enforcement action was taken against Penawar Express Line Bhd for failing to comply with the minimum wage policy. Sim stressed that adherence to the minimum wage is not optional but a legal requirement. 'We urge all employers to comply with the minimum wage. This is not a recommendation, but a legal requirement set by the government and must be strictly enforced,' he said during a press conference after launching the MYFutureJobs Career and Entrepreneurship Carnival at the Seberang Perai Prison Complex. Sim added that the Labour Department conducts regular inspections and surveys to ensure employers follow labour laws, including wage regulations. His statement came in response to concerns over reports of bus drivers earning as little as RM700 monthly, relying on travel allowances and overtime to supplement their income. – Bernama
