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‘Education Ministry has no plans to replace sba’ BorneoPost Online | Borneo , Malaysia, Sarawak Daily News » Sabah - New 2 Borneo

‘Education Ministry has no plans to replace sba’

Posted: 09 Feb 2014 02:37 PM PST

TAWAU: The Education Ministry has no plans to replace the school based assessment (SBA) system with the matriculation system in secondary schools, according to Education deputy minister Datuk Mary Yap Kain Ching.

She said a number of issues had to be considered before the matriculation system could be implemented.

"We do not have any plans but as an educator, I am optimistic about seeing some progress although we have to weigh the factors prior to any development.

"If certain parties are against enhancing the SBA or want it abolished, it meant they have not been properly informed about it," she told reporters at a Chinese New Year open house here yesterday.

Yap who is also Tawau MP, expressed confidence that teachers, parents and the community would fully support the SBA once they had a good grasp of it.

Elaborating on the system, she said it was aimed at enhancing the process of assessing students and was more holistic, encompassing communication, interaction and co curriculum involvement.

She acknowledged that objections and negative perceptions were common reactions to any new system. — Bernama

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Cooperation and respect important to strengthen unity — Shafie

Posted: 09 Feb 2014 02:26 PM PST

SEMPORNA: The younger generation needs to be reminded of the importance of cooperation and mutual respect among the races to strengthen unity.

Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal said they should know that cooperation among the races had led to the independence and development of the country.

Shafie said independence was not easy to achieve and required sacrifice and effort, including fostering cooperation and understanding among the people.

"Therefore, we must fight to restore and maintain the harmony in this nation, and work together to strengthen unity. History is a reminder to us that a divided nation will not bring any benefit to any parties," he said in his speech during a dinner with the Chinese community here on Saturday night.

According to Shafie, Malaysia is a multi-racial and multi-religious country and tolerance as well as understanding among the communities was needed to establish a united and stable country.

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Motorcyclist killed in collision with car

Posted: 09 Feb 2014 02:10 PM PST

Posted on February 10, 2014, Monday

KOTA KINABALU: A motorcyclist died from serious injuries after colliding with a Perodua Myvi car at the traffic light junction near Petagas here on Saturday.

Mohd Syahfiee bin Atong, 20, was heading from Putatan to Kota Kinabalu when he lost control of his motorcycle and hit the Myvi that had stopped at the traffic light around 12.15 am. He then hit an electric pole causing him to sustain serious head injuries.

He was rushed to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital but succumbed to his injuries at 3.50 am yesterday.

Meanwhile, the Myvi driver, who left the scene after the accident, was detained by the police at 9.30pm on Saturday for further investigation.

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Anwar contesting Kajang based on consensus of PR members – Lajim

Posted: 09 Feb 2014 02:09 PM PST

KOTA KINABALU: The decision for Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to contest in the coming Kajang by-election is based on a mutual consensus between all three parties of Pakatan Rakyat (PR).

Sabah Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) chief Datuk Lajim Ukin said this yesterday on behalf of PKR president Datuk Seri Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, who declined to comment when approached by the press after the PR Chinese New Year open house at the Kian Kok Middle School Hall here.

"She does not want to comment but on behalf of (her), I wish to inform that the decision was a consensus," he said, adding that there has not been any internal objection by party members, especially of PKR for de facto PR leader Anwar to contest.

Lajim also said that the consensus was made despite having not heard from current Parti Islam SeMalaysia (PAS) president Dato' Seri Haji Abdul Hadi bin Awang who was absent during a recent PR meeting discussing the issue.

"Even though Dato' Seri Hadi was not present at the meeting, our deputy and vice, and also the Majlis Surah were present at the PR meeting to discuss the nomination of Datuk Seri Anwar to contest," he said.

Kajang assemblyman Lee Chin Cheh resigned from the Selangor Legislative Assembly on January 27, this year leaving the N25 Kajang seat vacant.

The resignation was linked to speculation that Anwar is set to take over the Selangor Mentri Besar's position which he has dismissed in recent reports.

Lee secured 19,571 votes, winning the Kajang seat with a 6,824-vote majority in a six-cornered fight against candidates from the Barisan Nasional, Berjasa and three Independents during the last general election.

Meanwhile, Wan Azizah condemned the actions of the group who had offered a RM1,200 inducement to anyone who is willing to slap the DAP vice-chairperson Teresa Kok over a Chinese New Year greeting video.

"Why can't (they) be more mature?" she said, adding that Malay culture espouses courtesy and respect towards others, unlike the actions of the group.

DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang said the actions of the group was seditious, a form of criminal intimidation, and an encouragement of violence against women.

He said that the lack of action by police authorities was a demonstration of power abuse and corruption.

"Did the police investigate this? The police are not doing their duties. Investigate the people from the Council of Islamic NGOs," he said referring to a recent comment made by Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi who claimed that the actions of the group was not a threat.

The satirical YouTube video entitled 'Onederful' Malaysia CNY 2014 showed Kok acting the role of a Feng Shui talk show host, interviewing a panel of three whilst humorously jabbing at various national issues, including the Lahad Datu intrusion last year, the education system, rising cost of living, and so forth.

DAP Sabah assistant secretary cum Likas assemblyman Junz Wong said that he was utterly disgusted at the issue and disappointed at the comment made by the Home Minister.

"It is a criminal offence (by the group) so how are we to accept it when the Home Minister said that there is nothing to investigate," he said.

Commenting on the 'Allah' issue, Wan Azizah said there is nothing wrong for Christians in Sabah to use the word 'Allah'.

She said the word is not exclusive to Malay-Muslims only and the concept of 'Allah is only for the Malays' is wrong and un-Islamic.

"Allah is the God of the universe and mankind and it is a word that can be used by whomever, be it Malays, Kadazandusuns, and even Chinese and Indians," she said and offered 'salam', which means peace, to the crowd of some 700 people.

Also present at the event yesterday were Penampang member of parliament cum PKR deputy secretary-general Darell Leiking, Moyog assemblyman Terrence Siambun, PKR Sabah vice-chairperson Christina Liew, Kota Kinabalu member of parliament cum DAP Sabah chairman Jimmy Wong Sze Phin and Inanam assemblyman Dr Roland Chia of PKR.

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Mainstream media continues to report truth

Posted: 09 Feb 2014 02:08 PM PST

KOTA KINABALU: The mainstream media will continue to work closely with all government authorities by giving first-hand information to the people.

Kota Kinabalu Journalists Association (KKJA) chairman Jimmy Goh pledged that journalists in the mainstream media, armed with just a camera and a pen, would continue to obtain information in an open and transparent manner.

He said journalists had the responsibility to find out, to respect and report actual facts to the public, unlike many information or so-called news on the Internet where most of them were either half-truths or no-truth at all.

Speaking at the KKJA Chinese New Year luncheon at Dewan Hakka here yesterday, Goh said that it was the duty of mainstream media to report the truth, so that the people can get a clear picture on the happenings.

"We will also continue to work closely with all government authorities by giving first-hand information to the people," he said.

Goh added the people should appreciate and reflect on what they had gone through, be it good or bad, as the Year of Horse commenced.

"Indeed Sabah is a state where all the rakyat from all races are living in harmony and prosperity under the present State Government led by Yang Amat Berhormat Datuk Seri Panglima Musa. I believe this Year of the Horse, which represents prosperity, will be a better year to all," he said.

Also present at the event were Minister of Special Tasks Datuk Teo Chee Kang, Sabah United Chinese Chambers of Commerce (SUCCC) president Datuk Seri Panglima Gan Sau Wah, Federation of Chinese Associations Sabah (FCAS) president Dato' Sri T.C. Goh, Gerakan Sabah liaison chief Datuk Gordon Leong, Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) deputy president Senator Datuk Chin Su Phin, Mayor Datuk Abidin Madingkir, Kota Kinabalu Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KKCCCI) president Datuk Michael Lui, KTS Sabah area general operations manager Ngu Ngiong Hieng, Sabah Publishing House Sdn Bhd managing director Datuk Clement Yeh, former Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Tham Yip Shim and KKJA advisors Datuk Edward Khoo, Datuk James Hwong, Datuk Lau Kok Sing, Datuk Agnes Shim, Frankie Liew, Francis Goh and Candy Wong as well as organizing chairman Yong Ted Phen.

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Conventional media still relevant – Teo

Posted: 09 Feb 2014 02:08 PM PST

KOTA KINABALU: Conventional media still has an important role to play as the majority of readers still depend on such media for verified and accurate news reports.

Minister of Special Tasks Datuk Teo Chee Kang said conventional media, such as newspapers, were facing a tough challenge with technological advancement and the Internet.

Teo, who is also Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) president, said the outlook of media and news reporting had changed tremendously in the past 10 years.

"It used to be the case where television channels were the only ones monopolizing multimedia reporting. But now such things can be done through the Internet… we have bloggers, electronic media so on and so forth," he said during LDP's Chinese New Year brunch with the media here yesterday.

Nonetheless, Teo said conventional media was still relevant provided that they keep up with the times as how things worked was completely different compared to 10 or 20 years ago.

He said conventional media faced stiff competition from electronic media, bloggers and unofficial websites.

However, conventional media still has a vital role to play, he said.

"I think the majority of readers regard conventional media as the standard (of the industry) as newspaper reports are verified and accurate," said Teo.

He urged netizens and the public to be wary of information disseminated via the Internet, especially through short message service (SMS) and WhatsApp because these messages might not necessarily be true.

He said some irresponsible individuals with specific agendas could possibly spread fake messages over the Internet with the aim of causing anxiety among the public.

During the event, Teo also thanked the media for their unbiased and independent reporting all these years, especially in the past few months where LDP was facing its leadership crisis.

"We notice that our friends from the media have been very professional in their reporting and for that I say thank you," said Teo.

He acknowledged that news reporting was a challenging job as reporters had to rush from one venue to another during festive seasons to cover events organized by government and non-governmental bodies, as well as putting in extra long hours at times.

"For that I salute the good effort and good work of our friends from the media," he added.

Also present at the brunch were LDP deputy president Senator Datuk Chin Su Phin, vice presidents Datuk Lim Ming Hoo and Chin Shu Ying, Youth chief Tsang Hieng Yee, Women chief Datin Shim Nyat Yun, secretary general Yong Wui Chung, chief publicity officer Albert Kok, organizing secretary Peter Chong Su Leong and supreme council member Datin Margaret Chong Mui Ling.

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