Malaysian government launches RM42 million initiatives for Indian community

Malaysian government launches RM42 million initiatives for Indian community

KUALA LUMPUR : The government has announced new initiatives totalling RM42.25 million for the Indian community ahead of Deepavali celebrations. Indian Community Initiatives Implementation Committee chairman Datuk Seri R. Ramanan revealed the programmes approved by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. The initiatives include the free tuition programme ‘Kalvi MADANI’, laptops through Peranti Siswa, and school maintenance through the Malaysian Indian Transformation Unit. Kalvi MADANI will benefit students in 200 Tamil National Type Schools through an RM8 million allocation. Some 3,000 first-year higher education students will receive new laptops by December 31 under the RM7.95 million Peranti Siswa programme. Priority for the laptop initiative will be given to students from the B40 income group. An allocation of RM12.8 million was provided to 173 Tamil schools for minor repairs, furniture purchases and other requirements. Ramanan explained that 173 government Tamil schools share Education Ministry allocations with all school types while 363 government-aided schools receive more assistance. Another new initiative is the RM3.5 million Eradication of Extreme Poverty Programme through Bank Simpanan Nasional. This programme will benefit 1,064 recipients who will receive RM300 or up to RM1,750 maximum through the eKasih system. The government is continuing the Early Entry Assistance for Higher Education Institutions 5.0 with RM10 million for B40 students. Regular students will receive RM2,000 while students with disabilities will get RM3,000 under this scheme. Applications must be submitted via https://mitra.gov.my from October 17 at 3pm until November 17. Applications for the Dharma MADANI programme involving RM20 million for houses of worship must be submitted through www.perpaduan.gov.my from October 17 until November 3. The first phase provides up to RM20,000 for 1,000 temples, with only 10% usable for operational costs and equipment purchases. The remaining funds are designated for cultural programmes including religious classes, thevaram and dance activities. Ramanan said temples meeting requirements and submitting timely performance reports will qualify for a second phase. He hosted a Deepavali luncheon for Tamil media practitioners attended by Bernama CEO Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin. – Bernama

Polis janji siasatan telus insiden jenayah di kawasan sekolah

Polis janji siasatan telus insiden jenayah di kawasan sekolah

TANJONG MALIM : Polis Diraja Malaysia menjanjikan siasatan yang telus dan profesional terhadap insiden jenayah yang berlaku dalam kawasan sekolah kebelakangan ini. Menteri Dalam Negeri Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail menegaskan mereka yang terlibat akan dibawa ke muka pengadilan mengikut lunas undang-undang yang ada. Beliau berkata keyakinan masyarakat terutama ibu bapa terhadap jaminan keselamatan di kawasan sekolah perlu diperkukuh selaras slogan polis dan masyarakat berpisah tiada. Saifuddin menekankan rakyat berhak memberi tumpuan kepada aspek keselamatan sekolah kerana anak-anak mereka dihantar ke institusi pendidikan tersebut. Beliau menegaskan pihaknya akan mengukuhkan keyakinan rakyat termasuk ibu bapa dengan membawa pelaku jenayah sekolah ke muka pengadilan menggunakan undang-undang sedia ada. Menteri itu berkata demikian ketika berucap pada Majlis Penyerahan Projek Pembinaan Ibu Pejabat Daerah Muallim di Tanjong Malim hari ini. Saifuddin Nasution menyatakan pihaknya akan menggunakan akta berkaitan kanak-kanak dan Kanun Keseksaan seperti 302, 375 atau 377B untuk kes berkaitan. Beliau menekankan polis tidak akan berkompromi terhadap sebarang insiden jenayah di sekolah walau siapa pun pelakunya. Menteri Dalam Negeri itu menegaskan peranan keselamatan sekolah tidak boleh diletakkan pada bahu pasukan polis semata-mata. Saifuddin berkata aspek keselamatan perlu melibatkan pihak sekolah dan pemimpin masyarakat dengan kerjasama semua pihak. Semalam seorang pelajar perempuan berusia 16 tahun meninggal dunia dipercayai ditikam pelajar lelaki berusia 14 tahun di sebuah sekolah menengah di Bandar Utama. Minggu lepas seorang pelajar perempuan Tingkatan Tiga dipercayai dirogol oleh beberapa pelajar lelaki Tingkatan Lima di sebuah sekolah di Alor Gajah. – Bernama

Tornado hits Selangor schools, homes in Meru and Kuala Langat

Tornado hits Selangor schools, homes in Meru and Kuala Langat

PETALING JAYA : Several areas around Meru and Kuala Langat in Selangor were hit by a storm this afternoon, causing damage to homes, schools and residents’ vehicles. Selangor Malaysian Civil Defence Force (APM) director Colonel (PA) Fazlisyah Muslim said the storm was reported at Jalan Mohd Sharif 1, Taman Daya Meru, Jalan Puding and Jalan Paip, as well as around Sijangkang, Kuala Langat. “We have just received information regarding the storm incident around the Meru and Kuala Langat areas, but so far we have not obtained the actual number of affected houses or whether there are any victims. “The Temporary Relief Centre at Klang Royal City Council (MBDK) Meru Multipurpose Hall is still operating with 36 individuals housed since yesterday. “Due to the new storm that occurred this afternoon, the number of victims is likely to increase, but complete data is still being updated,” he said when contacted by Harian Metro today. He said the worst affected area in the incident was Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Sijangkang Jaya in Kuala Langat. “So far, we have not received any official information regarding the opening of new relief centres in Teluk Panglima Garang and Kuala Langat,” he said. Earlier, based on viral videos on social media today, the strong storm followed by a tornado also caused major damage in Teluk Panglima Garang, including destroying parts of the buildings at Sekolah Kebangsaan Sijangkang, Sekolah Kebangsaan Kampung Medan and Sekolah Rendah Agama Kampung Medan. The tornado was considered devastating as it even uprooted road barriers, causing them to be lifted into the air. Based on footage taken by residents, the SK Sijangkang building also suffered severe damage when the building walls collapsed while the school roof was completely torn off.

Malaysia sedia hantar satu batalion ATM ke Gaza jika dipilih PBB

Malaysia sedia hantar satu batalion ATM ke Gaza jika dipilih PBB

PETALING JAYA : Menteri Pertahanan Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin sekali lagi mengulangi Malaysia bersedia menghantar satu batalion Angkatan Tentera Malaysia ke Gaza sekiranya dipilih oleh Pertubuhan Bangsa-Bangsa Bersatu bagi menjalankan misi pengaman di wilayah bergolak itu. Beliau berkata satu batalion ATM telah didaftarkan lebih awal bagi tujuan itu dan Malaysia kini menunggu keputusan Majlis Keselamatan PBB berhubung penghantaran pasukan pengaman ke Gaza. Mohamed Khaled menyatakan kesediaan Malaysia untuk membantu telah dinyatakan semasa beliau menyertai mesyuarat menteri-menteri negara yang mempunyai pasukan pengaman. Beliau menegaskan Malaysia menunggu pertemuan Majlis Keselamatan PBB untuk membuat keputusan sebelum sebarang penghantaran dilaksanakan. Beliau berkata demikian kepada pemberita selepas melancarkan Pelan Transformasi Perbadanan Hal Ehwal Bekas Angkatan Tentera 2026-2035 di sini hari ini. Mohamed Khaled menjelaskan batalion yang disediakan itu tidak melibatkan kontinjen Malaysia yang sedang berkhidmat di Lubnan ketika ini. Beliau menekankan Malaysia mempunyai batalion lain yang bersedia untuk dihantar ke Gaza. Pada masa sama, beliau berkata soal kos untuk menghantar pasukan ATM menyertai misi pengaman itu tidak menjadi keutamaan pada masa ini. Perkara yang lebih penting adalah hasrat Malaysia untuk membantu rakyat Palestin yang sedang menderita akibat konflik berpanjangan. Mohamed Khaled menegaskan Malaysia sentiasa berpegang teguh terhadap prinsip kemanusiaan sejagat yang menjadi dasar utama negara dalam menyokong perjuangan rakyat Palestin. – Bernama

Kerajaan lancar inisiatif baharu RM42 juta untuk masyarakat India

Kerajaan lancar inisiatif baharu RM42 juta untuk masyarakat India

KUALA LUMPUR : Kerajaan melancarkan beberapa inisiatif baharu berjumlah RM42.25 juta untuk masyarakat India sempena sambutan Deepavali. Pengerusi Jawatankuasa Pelaksanaan Inisiatif Masyarakat India Datuk Seri R. Ramanan mengumumkan kelulusan inisiatif ini oleh Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Antara program utama ialah Kalvi MADANI yang menyediakan tuisyen percuma untuk murid di 200 Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan Tamil dengan peruntukan RM8 juta. Seramai 3,000 pelajar tahun pertama institusi pendidikan tinggi akan menerima komputer riba baharu melalui peruntukan RM7.95 juta di bawah program Peranti Siswa. Peruntukan RM12.8 juta diperuntukkan kepada 173 SJKT untuk pembaikan kecil, pembelian perabot dan keperluan lain yang akan dikenal pasti oleh Kementerian Pendidikan. Program Pembasmian Miskin Tegar melibatkan RM3.5 juta akan memanfaatkan 1,064 penerima melalui Bank Simpanan Nasional. Bantuan Awal Kemasukan IPT 5.0 diteruskan dengan peruntukan RM10 juta kepada pelajar B40 yang layak. Permohonan untuk bantuan IPT boleh dikemukakan melalui laman web MITRA bermula 17 Oktober hingga 17 November. Program Dharma MADANI melibatkan peruntukan RM20 juta untuk pemerkasaan rumah ibadat sebagai pusat komuniti dan kebudayaan. Fasa pertama Dharma MADANI membolehkan 1,000 rumah kuil memohon sehingga RM20,000 untuk program kebudayaan dan keagamaan. Ramanan turut menganjurkan jamuan makan tengah hari bagi penggiat media Tamil sempena Deepavali yang dihadiri Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif Bernama Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin. – Bernama

PERHEBAT transforms military retirement training with industry placement

PERHEBAT transforms military retirement training with industry placement

PETALING JAYA : Career training for retiring Malaysian Armed Forces personnel will now occur directly within industries rather than being confined to camps or training centres. Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin announced this shift as part of the newly launched PERHEBAT Transformation Plan 2026-2035. The initiative aims to better prepare military retirees for civilian job market demands through industry-aligned training. “The primary training location will be within the industry itself, not only at PERHEBAT centres throughout the country,“ he said at the launch ceremony at Royale Chulan Damansara. The 10-year transformation plan will be implemented in three phases, beginning with capacity building from 2026 to 2029. The second phase focuses on commercialisation and high-value industry development from 2030 to 2032. The final phase from 2033 to 2035 will concentrate on organisational excellence and sustainability. The plan is anchored on four main thrusts: career market acceleration, sustainable economic development, digitalisation access expansion, and policy empowerment. Mohamed Khaled said the approach creates an ecosystem linking soon-to-retire personnel directly with the private sector. “Through this approach, skills acquired during service will be formally recognised, at least at diploma level,“ he explained. He emphasised that the transformation represents a comprehensive effort to ensure veterans’ post-service welfare and livelihood. Currently, only 17.4% of the more than 189,000 ATM veterans are employed, with most involved in small businesses or not working. “This is not the future we want for our national heroes,“ Mohamed Khaled stated. He urged industry players to recognise veterans’ contributions by providing meaningful career pathways. “Industries know best what skills are needed,“ he said, highlighting veterans’ discipline and resilience. The plan aligns with the MADANI Economy framework, 13th Malaysia Plan and National TVET Policy 2030. At the event, Mohamed Khaled witnessed cooperation document exchanges between PERHEBAT and 44 private sector agencies. Job offer letters were also presented to selected veterans during the ceremony. Deputy Defence Minister Adly Zahari and Armed Forces Chief General Tan Sri Mohd Nizam Jaffar were also present. – Bernama

Two Myanmar men arrested for murder of fellow countryman in Cameron Highlands

Two Myanmar men arrested for murder of fellow countryman in Cameron Highlands

CAMERON HIGHLANDS : Two Myanmar men have been arrested for allegedly stabbing their fellow countryman to death in Tringkap. The suspects, aged 21 and 23, were arrested at 12.05 am on Tuesday near the crime scene. Cameron Highlands district police chief Supt Azri Ramli said police learned of the stabbing at about 11.54 pm on Monday. “The victim, 50, was found unconscious covered in blood, while his wife was injured in the head,“ he said in a statement. Police seized several weapons during the arrest, including two knives and a steel rod. The victim was taken to Sultanah Hajah Kalsom Hospital in Tanah Rata where he was pronounced dead. A subsequent autopsy at Tengku Ampuan Afzan Hospital’s forensics unit revealed the cause of death was a severed carotid artery. The forensics team found several wounds to the neck, head, chin, right cheek and under the victim’s right ear from a sharp object. A five-centimetre slash was also found along the abdomen. Both suspects have been taken to court to be remanded under Section 117 of the Criminal Procedure Code. The case is being investigated under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder. – Bernama

Hukuman rotan di sekolah tidak pernah dihapuskan – Dr Asyraf Wajdi

Hukuman rotan di sekolah tidak pernah dihapuskan – Dr Asyraf Wajdi

PETALING JAYA – Hukuman rotan di sekolah tidak pernah dimansuhkan sejak tahun 1954, namun pelaksanaannya tertakluk kepada prosedur ketat dan hanya boleh dilakukan oleh pihak berautoriti seperti pengetua atau guru besar. Perkara itu dimaklumkan kepada Pengerusi Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara), Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki oleh Presiden Majlis Peguam Malaysia, Datuk Mohamad Ezri Abdul Wahab ... Read more The post Hukuman rotan di sekolah tidak pernah dihapuskan – Dr Asyraf Wajdi appeared first on Kosmo Digital .

Lelaki curi buku di perpustakaan dicekup

Lelaki curi buku di perpustakaan dicekup

KOTA BHARU: Tindakan licik seorang lelaki mencuri buku dari perpustakaan awam dan menjualnya semula secara dalam talian memakan diri apabila dia ditahan polis dalam satu serbuan di rumahnya di sini hari ini. Suspek berusia lingkungan 50-an dicekup hasil rakaman televisyen litar tertutup (CCTV) sepasukan anggota Bahagian Siasatan Jenayah Ibu Pejabat Polis Daerah (IPD) Kota Bharu ... Read more The post Lelaki curi buku di perpustakaan dicekup appeared first on Utusan Malaysia .