The Star Online: Nation
The Star Online: Nation |
- Umno must not sideline youth and middle-class Malays, says political analyst
- Malaysian higher education sector rating moves up 9 rungs in U21 report
- #AzminReveals tops Malaysian Twitter trends
| Umno must not sideline youth and middle-class Malays, says political analyst Posted: 10 May 2013 08:10 AM PDT KUALA LUMPUR: As Umno celebrates its 67th anniversary tomorrow, the party must take new steps to ensure that it will stay relevant, especially in the aftermath of the 13th general election, according to political analyst Prof Datuk Dr Mohamed Mustafa Ishak. The National Professors' Council politics, security and international affairs cluster chief said one of the most important steps that should be taken by Umno was to give extra focus on the aspirations and needs of middle-class Malays. For that, he said, Umno should prepare a more inclusive framework for the group. "Umno is close to the hearts of the people in rural areas and Umno still managed to defend rural seats in the 13th polls, but the number of middle-class Malays are increasing and they mustn't be sidelined by Umno. "The aspirations and expectations of these middle-class Malays also differ from the aspirations and expectations of the rural community and other groups," he said. Mohamed Mustafa said Umno must have an interesting package to offer the group and efforts to reach out to the young people - especially the Y generation - must be intensified. "If not, the Umno rejuvenation process will be hampered because these two groups, the Gen Y below the age of 40 and the middle-class Malays, are very important," he said. At the same time, he said Umno must also continue reaching out to other races, including the Chinese, so that it won't be seen as an unfriendly Malay party. "Umno must find ways to maintain racial harmony in the country," he said. The professor said as long as Umno continued to take good care of the Malays and the Bumiputeras in Sabah and Sarawak, uphold Islam, ensure justice and combat all forms of corruption, Umno would continue to get the people's support. "Don't let Umno's image be smeared by corruption or as a party for the rich or for certain groups of Malays. "Umno must take an inclusive stand and approach by protecting the interests of the Malays, Malay rulers and Islam, while at the same time be fair to all Malaysians. That way, Umno will continue to be appreciated," he added. - Bernama |
| Malaysian higher education sector rating moves up 9 rungs in U21 report Posted: 10 May 2013 08:02 AM PDT KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's higher education sector moved up nine rungs in a Universitas 21 (U21) report, and is now ranked 27th from a field of 50 countries, with an overall score of 52.4%. Malaysia was ranked 36th out of 48 countries surveyed, with an overall score of 50.5%, last year. U21 made its study based on the elements of resources, environment, connectivity and output said the Higher Education Ministry in a statement here Friday. The Ministry felt the U21 ranking was commendable as it showed the Government was committed in the development of the higher education sector. Malaysia is also listed as the second best in Southeast Asia after Singapore, which placed ninth with an overall score of 76.6%. For the resource criteria, which looks at expenditure in the sector, Malaysia obtained a score of 70.9% which was better than Australia, Korea, Japan, England and Germany. In the environment element, Malaysia scored 87.2%, surpassing countries like China, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Korea, Switzerland and Chile while the output of research and commercialisation saw Malaysia getting a score of 19.2%. Malaysia also recorded 40.4% in connectivity and international relations, which depended on the number of foreign students in local institutions of higher learning and production of journals, in the cooperation with international scholars. U21 is a network of the world's leading universities with an emphasis on research, and is based on research by the Institute of Social and Applied Economics Studies of the Melbourne University, Australia. - Bernama |
| #AzminReveals tops Malaysian Twitter trends Posted: 10 May 2013 07:04 AM PDT PETALING JAYA: Massive online interest in PKR deputy president Azmin Ali's 'reveal all' press conference made the Star Online-initiated #AzminReveals hashtag the top Malaysian trend on social media website Twitter on Friday. The Gombak MP and Bukit Antarabangsa assemblyman had promised to reveal everything about the party's state of affairs, as well as a behind-the-scenes look at what happened after the Permatang Pauh by-elections in 2008. The #AzminReveals hashtag was initiated as part of The Star Online's live Storify coverage of the press conference. Excitement over Azmin's revelation had been building up even before the tell-all press conference, leading an early-morning tweet by @shusshshussh which said; "He gets his own hashtag! #AzminReveals. This better be good, sir. Malaysia's watching/reading :) @AzminAli" Some tweeters like @iskandar38 shared their hopes for the announcement, saying "#azminreveals better have substance; statement, reports lodged, picture, videos etc instead of 'he says she says'". Many had a field day taking guesses at what #AzminReveals would be. @danielkhoo tweeted "If you're looking for some Friday morning entertainment, read #azminreveals :)". Pop culture references also took centrestage, with @sudut_kiri tweeting; "#AzminReveals what was in the Pulp Fiction briefcase", while @1Obefiend joked "#AzminReveals that he is team Edward" and @rebelrhyming said "#AzminReveals whether the top falls or keeps spinning after Inception ends". Some sought fixes for long-standing problems, such as @gogzta who tweeted: "AzminAliReveals the solution to #kltraffic". Others alluded to the existence of urban legends, such as @zhiQ who tweeted: "#AzminReveals Loch Ness sighted at Teluk Gong. 15 years cover-up!" Many clamoured for the reveal of secret formulas, such as @amir_n9 who wished for "#AzminReveals KFC's original recipes", and Spongebob Squarepants fan @GrrrrrRazzi who called for "#AzminReveals Krabby Patty recipe". Even his crowning glory did not escape scrutiny, as Kota Belud MP Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan tweeted: "@PhilipGolingai Bro, I notice @AzminAli is sporting a new hairdo. Hair split on the side. Sign of new political life? #AzminReveals". However, Azmin's much-anticipated press conference, which was covered by live tweets from The Star journalists TASHNY SUKUMARAN and PHILIP GOLINGAI, left many wanting more after it concluded. Most tweeters voiced their displeasure over the one-hour delay to the start of the press conference and the lack of any actual surprise, such as @adaminkk2 who tweeted; "So the #azminreveals PC was anti climatic at best. Explains some details, deny some rumours, reiterate his loyalty to the party." Others like @DinaNurhana tweeted: "#AzminReveals. Yes, there's nothing much, but people, why are you guys so negative? Aduhai Malaysian. Haha". @Hugo_TanJianHao added: "Those who claimed to be #TeamAzmin also those who complain about the #AzminReveals now. Hard to please lah you guys! #gotcha #politics". Amidst all the #AzminReveals excitement, one major question remained unanswered. Kedah Gerakan Youth chief Tan Keng Liang said it best when he tweeted: "If YB @azminali don't want to be MB Selangor, then who his team choose to replace @khalid_ibrahim? #azminreveals". And as @vader_roni tweeted, one thing is certain: "Malaysians have very little tolerance for political dramas #azminreveals". |
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