The Star Online: Nation
The Star Online: Nation |
- Najib: Malaysia needs more value-added economic activities to advance
- Kuala Besut by-election: Candidates reaching out to as many voters as possible
- Low intake of Chinese students in public varsities unacceptable, says Chua
| Najib: Malaysia needs more value-added economic activities to advance Posted: PEKAN: The country cannot remain a commodity producer if it wishes to advance, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak. He said the cause of low income for a nation and an individual was when it did not get involved in value-added economic activities. "An example are African nations. They cannot develop because they are still stuck in the commodity producer phase. "The African continent is rich in tin, iron, diamonds and all manner of resources, but the whole economic network is controlled by multi-national corporations," he said at the presentation of the Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority (Risda) dividends and the launch of the young generation of smallholders programme here yesterday. He said African nations had to break free from the clutches of multi-national corporations before they could advance. "Some countries achieved independence not long after us, but they are lagging behind in development when compared to us. There are a lot of factors, such as the failure to change their policies, economic structure and networks," he added. Najib said if smallholders did not get involved in activities that provide higher returns, they might face the same fate. "I propose that besides producing commodities, smallholders learn good governance and how to manage. That is the way forward if we do not want to be stuck in a rut," he added. Najib said that to ensure the younger generation take part in the industry, smallholders had to show it was productive, competitive and dynamic. "Otherwise, the younger generation would think it was better to work in the service industry like McDonald's rather than in the plantations," he said. During the event, Najib announced that the Government was prepared to allocate RM10mil through Risda to implement the young generation of smallholders programme in next year's budget. "The Government, through Risda, will set up a Smallholders' Children Scholarship Scheme to give financial aid to children with potential for success from low-income families," he said. At another function here, Najib said Malaysia was way ahead of countries that had achieved independence at about the same time as Malaysia. "During my visit to Tanzania recently, I found that its people are still looking for ways to develop their agriculture, while ours are already in order," he said at a breaking of fast event with settlers of Felda Chini 2 here. |
| Kuala Besut by-election: Candidates reaching out to as many voters as possible Posted: BESUT: The first day of the campaigning period for the Kuala Besut by-election saw both Barisan Nasional and PAS candidates on the race to reach out to as many voters as possible. Barisan candidate Tengku Zaihan Che Ku Abd Rahman's day started immediately after dawn, joining the people of Kampung Dengir near here for the morning prayers. He later visited a couple, whose house in Kg Tok Kolok was burned down in May. The couple – Ramli Jusoh and wife Norsarimah Awang – will be moving into a brand new house soon, courtesy of the Fire and Rescue Department that would help rebuild their home under its "My Beautiful Neighbourhood Programme". "This is what Barisan does for the people. I hope the people can see this and will realise that Barisan is the best choice," said Tengku Zaihan. His plan in the next 12 days of campaigning is to visit every nook and corner of the Kuala Besut constituency to understand the people's needs. On his rounds, Tengku Zaihan said he would be stressing on the need for the people to maintain stability in the state, which only Barisan could guarantee. Meanwhile, Endut@Azlan Yusof, who is campaigning for change, visited several areas here, greeting voters at wet markets and Ramadan bazaars and attending a ceramah. As early as 8.30am, the PAS candidate was already on the campaign trail, saying that he was confident of meeting almost all the people in his constituency before polling day. "For me, it is important that I meet the people so that they will understand what we plan to do for them. A win in this by-election is not for me but it is for the party," he said. Azlan – popularly known among the locals as Che Long – is very aware of the heavy burden that he is carrying in trying to win Kuala Besut, which could force an equal number seats between Barisan and Pakatan Rakyat in the state legislative assembly. "This is my first by-election but I never thought that it would be this important. I will do my best not to fail the party," he said. Azlan also credited his family for their unfailing support despite him spending so much time away since he was picked by the party to stand in the by-election. Related stories: Kuala Besut by-election: Not wrong to support Barisan, says Muhyiddin Kuala Besut by-election: BN candidate not widely accepted due to not being local, says PAS |
| Low intake of Chinese students in public varsities unacceptable, says Chua Posted: PETALING JAYA: The low intake of Chinese students in public universities for the 2013/2014 academic term is unacceptable, said MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek. "As the number of student intake increases, the number of Chinese gaining entry seems to be declining. "This is a gross deprivation for Chinese students and it raises the question of the selection criteria," he said. Dr Chua found it unacceptable that the number of successful Chinese applicants for the term had dropped to 7,913 (19%) this year from 8,986 (23%) last year; a 1,000-student drop. There were a total of 41,573 successful applicants for the new term. Citing Education Ministry statistics, Dr Chua said that in the 2012/2013 intake, 8,986 out of the total 38,549 students were Chinese students. For the 2011/2012 intake, there were 9,457 Chinese students out of a total 41,627 applicants. The issue was previously raised by MCA education bureau chairman Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong, who said that some students with cumulative grade point averages (CGPA) of 4.0 were unable to get places in universities. Dr Wee said these included students who applied for fields such as medicine, pharmacy and dentistry. Based on these numbers, Dr Chua said that MCA doubted if meritocracy was at all part of the public university selection process, and called for a more transparent process to be put in place. He said that a brain drain would occur if qualified students were offered to study in foreign universities. "Qualified students must be accorded a place in universities, and to deprive them of tertiary education is a great injustice to the education policy," he said. Dr Chua noted that there was a decline in Chinese students getting into public university courses of their choice, and called on the Government to address the matter. He added that qualified applicants who were unable to get into public universities could make an appeal through Dr Chua's or the MCA Youth education bureau's office. |
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