Latest news with #Teh
Focus Malaysia
3 days ago
- Business
- Focus Malaysia
SDB's CSR Mid Valley Megamall retail store set to further empower special needs community
SELANGOR Dredging Bhd's (SDB) flagship corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative, One-Two-Boost (OTB), has opened its first physical retail outlet at Mid Valley Megamall. It marks a major milestone in its mission to empower individuals with special needs through meaningful employment and inclusive community engagement. The store's official launch was officiated by Pathmanathan Nalasamy (left on main image) who is the director of the Development of Persons with Disabilities Department under the Department of Social Welfare Malaysia. 'The inclusion of persons with disabilities must be a shared responsibility. While the government continues to introduce policies and programmes to support their integration, it is heartening to see private sector leaders like SDB stepping up in meaningful ways,' he praised. 'Through strong public-private collaboration, we continue to build a society that values diversity, promotes dignity and ensures that no one is left behind in Malaysia's development journey.' Conceived and spearheaded by SDB managing director Teh Lip Kim herself, OTB was born out of a deeply personal desire to support and provide employment for individuals with special needs. 'What started as a small initiative has grown beyond what I imagined,' recalled Teh (second from right on main image). 'With this store, we aim to amplify OTB's true purpose – not just hy offering jobs – but raising awareness and building understanding between the special needs community and the public.' Initially launched as an online venture, OTB's expansion into a physical store reflects growing public support for its mission and the broader appeal of its holistic wellness offerings. The Mid Valley Megamall outlet showcases over 50 herbal-based products which are developed in collaboration with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) physicians. These include herbal drinks, immunity-boosting soups, balms and other products promoting holistic well-being. More than just a retail space, the store serves as a platform for awareness, inclusion and meaningful interaction by bridging the gap between the special needs community and the wider public. Pathmanathan and Teh also expressed their gratitude to Mid Valley Megamall for supporting OTB's mission by providing a prominent platform within one of Malaysia's most visited shopping destinations. 'The impact of this store is set to be immense,' envisages Teh. 'It serves as a venue where this community can gain confidence and independence, and where every customer encounter becomes a chance to break down stigma.' Teh added that the store creates a valuable space for the special needs team to gain exposure and develop interpersonal skills while offering the public an opportunity to engage meaningfully. 'What we need is more empathy, more kindness and above all, more hope,' she stressed. 'Each product on our shelves represents not just care and craftsmanship, but also courage – the courage of this community to show up, to grow and to be seen. 'Our hope is that every customer who walks through our doors leaves not only with something good for their body but something uplifting for the heart.' Visit for Mmore information or to support this meaningful initiative. – June 27, 2025
Focus Malaysia
4 days ago
- Business
- Focus Malaysia
The day when SMI has all its AGM resolutions rejected by majority shareholders
PROPERTY developer South Malaysia Industries Bhd (SMI) which is facing backlash over governance concern has had all four resolutions proposed by its current board of directors 'rejected and voted down' during the company's 53rd annual general meeting (AGM) in Johor Bahru today (June 26). This decisive rejection came from proxies representing Target 1 Sdn Bhd, Honsin Apparel Sdn Bhd and HIQ Media (M) Sdn Bhd who collectively hold 50.05% of SMI's shares. 'Given this absolute majority, the outcome of the voting was effectively determined, rendering further polling unnecessary,' the company pointed out in a Bursa Malaysia filing 'Consequently, pursuant to an order from the Kuala Lumpur High Court dated June 20 arising from an application filed by (self-nominated director) Teh Chee Hoe, the AGM has been adjourned to a future date to be set by the Court. The four resolutions set out in SMI's Notice of the 53rd AGM were: To re-appoint Messrs UHY Malaysia PLT as auditors of the company until the conclusion of the next AGM at a remuneration to be determined by the directors; To approve the payment of directors' fees and benefits of up to RM350,000 to non-executive directors of the company and subsidiaries; To re-elect Latifah Abdul Latiff who is retiring by rotation given she has offered herself for re-election; and Authority to allot and issue shares in general pursuant to Sections 75 and 76 of the Companies Act 2016. 'This unprecedented outcome demonstrates shareholders' concerns regarding the governance and direction of the company, hence marking a pivotal moment for SMI and its stakeholders,' a market observer told FocusM. Earlier on June 17, SMI said it had rejected a proposal to nominate Teh and three others as directors at its AGM, citing violations of corporate and securities regulations. In a stock exchange filing, SMI had received the proposal on June 12 from Teh who nominated Ng Fun Kim, Ling Chi Hoong, Amy Tan Li Peng and himself for election to the company's board. 'Based on the investigations by the company, the SMI board of has been advised that Teh did not satisfy the requirements of Section 323 of the Companies Act 2016 (CA 2016),' noted SMI. 'Additionally, he (Teh) is also connected to Target 1 Sdn Bhd which has issued a notice of unconditional mandatory take-over offer dated Aug 20 on the company (SMI).' At the close of today's (June 26) market trading, SMI was down 0.5 sen or 1.54% to 32 sen with 1,000 shares traded, thus valuing the company at RM67 mil. – June 26, 2025
The Sun
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Malaysia's low education rights ranking a wake-up call
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia's performance in the latest Human Rights Measurement Initiative (HRMI) report – ranking third-lowest in Asean for education rights – should be viewed as a constructive reminder of the work still needed to ensure inclusive, high-quality education for all, said National Association of Private Educational Institutions deputy president Dr Teh Choon Jin. The HRMI, a global collaboration involving human rights practitioners, researchers and academics, reported that Malaysia is achieving 64.4% of its potential in education rights for males and 70.7% for females, based on national income levels. Both figures fall into the 'very bad' category under the HRMI's benchmark system. Describing the findings as a 'sobering wake-up call', Teh said: 'Despite having the resources, we're still failing to ensure every child receives quality education.' He added that while Malaysia has made strides in reforming its education system, some policies have yet to deliver on the ground, especially in rural areas facing infrastructure challenges, teacher shortages and limited digital access. Teh also noted that the education system remains overly exam-orientated, which can hinder the development of essential real-world problem-solving and critical thinking skills. Addressing these issues, he emphasised the role private institutions could play in bridging gaps, especially in underserved communities. 'They can also provide tech access and support in communities lacking digital resources,' he added. He further cautioned that frequent changes in curriculum and language policy can cause confusion and added pressure for both students and teachers. To move forward, Teh urged closer collaboration between the public and private sectors. 'We need to reach out to often invisible groups such as undocumented children, refugees and youth from marginalised communities through outreach programmes, scholarships and flexible learning pathways,' he said. He added that public-private partnerships could help co-develop inclusive curricula, teacher training initiatives and digital platforms tailored to diverse student needs. Among the key reforms he proposed were amending education laws to guarantee access for all children, decentralising decision-making so schools can better respond to local challenges, and adopting equity-based funding models to channel more resources to disadvantaged areas. He also highlighted the importance of continuity in education policy. 'Teacher development must be prioritised through continuous and inclusive training. Inclusive education must be embedded in all policy and implementation frameworks to support students with disabilities and diverse learning needs. 'Fostering public-private collaboration can widen access through flexible and community-based learning models,' said Teh. 'An education system that empowers all learners is not just an investment in individuals; it is the foundation of a stronger, more united Malaysia.' Echoing these concerns, Malaysian Academic Movement secretary Rosli Mahat described the HRMI findings as 'saddening but not surprising', reflecting ongoing challenges that require sustained attention. 'Even in the Academic Freedom Index, we score only 0.3 out of 1.0,' he said. Rosli acknowledged that while access to education has improved over the years, disparities still exist. 'Unequal school facilities and the unfair distribution of teachers are major barriers. Current policies do not support inclusive education.' Rosli added that special consideration should be given for students from low-income households, first-generation university applicants and undocumented children. 'High-achieving or 'gifted' students should still be subject to a merit-based system without special privileges,' he added. Rosli also called for ensuring basic infrastructure in all schools, including electricity, clean water, internet access, sports facilities, books and teaching materials. 'We must ensure an equitable redistribution of teachers so that all schools benefit from experienced educators.' Rosli said a unified focus on meritocracy, inclusive practices and academic freedom will be essential to achieving long-term improvements. Teh said we need to reach out to often invisible groups such as undocumented children, refugees and youth from marginalised communities through outreach programmes, scholarships and flexible learning pathways. – Adib Rahwi Yahya/theSun
New Straits Times
6 days ago
- Health
- New Straits Times
Residents in Sibu Jaya urged to cooperate in malaria screening
SIBU: The Sibu Division Health Office will carry out active case detection (ACD) to identify the presence of malaria parasites among residents, following the detection of a malaria case in the Townvilla B residential area in Sibu Jaya on June 13. Sibu Health Officer Dr Teh Jo Hun said the exercise will take place tomorrow and the day after, from 5pm to 8pm, and will involve the collection of blood samples through the blood film for malaria parasite (BFMP) test. He said the measure is mandatory and will continue until completion, in order to prevent the spread of the disease. Dr Teh called on residents to cooperate with health personnel who will be conducting house-to-house checks. "Residents are asked to prepare identification documents such as identity cards, birth certificates or passports, and to allow blood slides to be collected by health personnel. Priority will be given to individuals experiencing symptoms such as fever and chills," he said in a statement today. For further enquiries, the public may contact the Sibu Division Health Office at 084-315494.
The Star
06-06-2025
- General
- The Star
Students warned of fake course offers
PETALING JAYA: SPM school leavers have been advised to be wary of unsolicited WhatsApp and SMS texts offering various courses and attractive incentives to be enrolled in some colleges and private institutions of higher learning. It is crucial to check the legitimacy of such 'offers' before making any decision to enrol to avoid ending up in debt due to high fees and other costs imposed by the operators. Despite regulations governing the promotion of courses offered by private higher education institutions, enforcing them remained a significant challenge, according to the National Association of Private Educational Institutions (Napei). Deputy president Dr Teh Choon Jin said while most reputable institutions adhere to the rules, some unscrupulous operators continue to promote unaccredited programmes via social media and messaging apps. ALSO READ: Cautious response to scholarship offers 'These misleading promotions not only deceive students but tarnish the reputation of the entire private education sector,' he said. Teh urged parents to scrutinise any claims made by these operators and to particularly get accreditation from the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA). He said fraudulent advertisements are being promoted on the social media and they often misuse the names of reputable institutions, misleading students into thinking they are enrolling in accredited programmes. (Click To Enlarge) To protect students, Teh called for greater vigilance and collaboration with the authorities. 'The most important step is to verify whether the courses and institutions are accredited,' he said. Teh also highlighted that Napei members faced significant challenges due to fraudulent advertisements and scams, especially those proliferated through social media and messaging platforms. 'These deceptive ads often misuse the names, logos, or branding of reputable institutions to appear legitimate, misleading students into believing they are enrolling into recognised programmes,' he explained. The presence of such scams in the ecosystem creates confusion and distrust among students and parents,' he added. Uniten vice-chancellor Prof Dr Khairul Salleh Mohamed Sahari said students and parents could verify a programme's accreditation status via the Malaysian Qualifications Register or the Provisional Accreditation list on the MQA website. For overseas programmes, the former MQA deputy CEO (quality assurance) said recognition status could be checked through the e-SISRAF system or by contacting the MQA. 'When a student enrols in an unaccredited programme, he or she will not be able to apply for any scholarships or financial assistance from major providers such as the Public Service Department, Majlis Amanah Rakyat and National Higher Education Fund Corporation or PTPTN. 'Upon graduation, he or she will not be able to join the public service and may be rejected by companies that strictly assess the quality of the programme,' he said. Some institutions, he said, also misused the MQA logo in advertisements for non-accredited programmes. He warned that such actions are offences under Act 679 and could lead to fines or imprisonment if convicted. National Union of the Teaching Profession secretary-general Fouzi Singon acknowledged that the issue had persisted for years, with many students falling victim. Some colleges, he said, entice students with special offers, only for them to end up in debt due to high fees imposed and other costs. 'There are also third parties acting as agents who exploit the situation to earn commissions by charging exorbitant processing fees,' he added. Fouzi also advised parents to verify an institution's qualification certificates and ensure that their MQA accreditation is still valid. 'Even if there is a certificate, the validity date of the accreditation certificate by the MQA needs to be verified,' he said. He also called on the MQA to promote evaluation steps more actively and strengthen student data protection.
