Describing the number as high, Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said he was concerned that some of the lost MyKads might be used by syndicates for criminal purposes.

“This issue needs to be tackled fast by the National Registration Department (NRD) to prevent misuse of the lost MyKads and to avoid the Home Ministry from being accused by any quarters of creating phantom voters for the general election.”

Ahmad Zahid this to reporters after his visit to the NRD, here, yesterday.

He was, however, confident that the NRD, which won eight awards including an international one last year for its excellent service, would be able to check the problem.

“If investigations reveal that syndicates were involved in the loss of MyKads for the purpose of committing crime and so on, I think a fine imposed on the cardholders is not enough as the NRD should also do monitoring, undertake prevention measures and provide solutions to the problem,” he said.

He said the fine for those who lost their MyKad might be increased after this.

“I’m asking the NRD director-general to suggest the amount which I will bring up to the cabinet for consideration and approval,” he said.

Currently, the fine for losing the MyKad for the first time is RM100, RM200 for the second time and RM300 for the third. — Bernama

He stressed that he was not involved in the detention of the opposition leader as well as PAS activist Tamrin Tun Ghafar and Asalkan Bukan Umno (ABU) leader Haris Ibrahim.

“I left the matter to the police and I believe they have the basis and solid evidence to detain the three, and I played no part in the operations,” he told reporters after attending a function at the National Registration Department here yesterday.

On whether more opposition and non-governmental organisation leaders would be detained, Ahmad Zahidi said it was up to the police.

On Monday, he had cautioned that the government would no longer issue any warnings but will take serious action against anyone who acted irresponsibly to cause public disorder in the country.

He said the Inspector-General of Police, and department heads and agencies under the ministry had the authority to carry out their responsibilities according to their jurisdicdtion based on the law, without political interference. — Bernama

Erni Dekritawati Yuliana Buhari, 28, the eldest of six siblings, said she was satisfied with the court’s decision handed down to former lawyer N Pathmanabhan and three farm workers, T Thilaiyalagan, R Matan and R Kathavarayan.

“I wish to thank the court, media and Malaysians who had given us their support since the death of my mother. No words can express my gratitude,” she said when met by reporters at the Shah Alam Court complex here yesterday.

The four were found guilty and sentenced to death by hanging by the High Court yesterday for murdering Sosilawati, 47, bank officer Noorhisham Mohamad, 38, lawyer Ahmad Kamil Abdul Karim, 32, and Sosilawati’s driver Kamaruddin Shamsuddin, 44.

They committed the offence at Lot 2001, Jalan Tanjong Layang, Tanjung Sepat in Banting between 8.30pm and 9.45pm on Aug 30, 2010. — Bernama

Its Curriculum Development Division deputy director Dr Azian T.S. Abdullah said these would be done through a combination of assessment and practical observations.

She said in 2011, the policy of 60:40 ratio of Science and Arts had only achieved 45 per cent of the 60 per cent of students’ involvement in Science subjects.

“Therefore, the diagnostic exercise would be an effort to encourage students to take up Science, as well as to enhance the quality of science education to be at par with that in developed nations.

“Malaysia is currently undergoing educational transformation, and Inquiry- Based Science Education (IBSE) is one of our focus areas to propel the national education system to greater heights,” she said when presenting a paper at the International Science, Technology and Innovation Centre for South-South Cooperation (ISTIC)’s fifth anniversary conference, here, yesterday.

Azian said through the diagnostic exercise, the ministry would be able to develop a customised professional development programme for Science teachers as well as develop a professional learning community (PLC) among them.

“A new initiative which has never been carried out in Malaysia is the employment of School Improvement Specialist Coaches (SISC+). We hope to implement that programme.

“The SISC+ will act as mentor and coach to teachers in schools, besides delivering professional development sessions.”

Azian said the professional development programme would motivate teachers to deliver effectively the new Secondary School Standard Curriculum (KSSM) and Primary School Standard Curriculum (KSSR), which would be implemented in 2017.

She said the ministry would also take every step possible to provide good science laboratories in schools and to recruit sufficient skilled laboratory assistants to support teachers in the learning proses.

Therefore, she said, to further strengthen Science education, the ministry would reintroduce starting from 2015 the practical testing elements in national examinations and school-based assessments. — Bernama

Unicef Malaysia in a statement yesterday said the government’s quick action and strong concerns by various NGOs would help protect the child from futher harm and prevent her from joining the growing number of child brides globally.

According to its statement, the girl who was already married should be supported with options for schooling, sexual and reproductive health and services including HIV prevention, livelihoods skills and recourse from violence in the home.

Unicef cautioned that being married at a young age not only curbed a girl’s right to education, but also endangered her health as complications from pregnancy and childbirth were the leading cause of death among girls aged 15 to 19 worldwide, accounting for some 50,000 deaths each year.

“Moreover, girls between 10 and 14 years of age are five times more likely than women aged 20 to 24 to die in pregnancy and childbirth.

“Child brides are also more likely to experience discrimination and violence and too often, they have little or no ability to leave abusive partners and secure the social and legal support they need to improve their situation,” Unicef said.

Unicef said child marriage, which frequently inhibits a child’s basic right of health, education and security is condemned in international conventions, including the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which Malaysia signed and ratified in 1995.

“Whether it happened to a girl or boy, child marriage is a practice that robs children of their childhood, their rights and dignity.

“Parents may consent to child marriages out of economic necessity. Marriage may also be seen as a way to provide male guardianship for their daughters, protect them from sexual assault or avoid pregnancy outside marriage,” it said. — Bernama

Rosmah, who is also Bakti president, said by doing so, they could help give a good image of the country’s leaders.

She said she hoped that the participation of another 21 wives of newly-appointed ministers and deputy ministers, would contribute more creative ideas to the association.

“Bakti members are always watched by other women and non-governmental organisations. Hope we can take care of ourselves to be good Bakti members, as well as wives of the country leaders. Please support your husbands,” she said at a familiarisation reception with the new Bakti members at Seri Perdana here.

She added that she hoped members would mind their manners and behaviour in public and to always support their husbands.

A ‘pulut kuning’ (glutinuous rice cake) cutting ceremony was also held at the function to celebrate Barisan Nasional’s victory in the recent 13th general election. — Bernama

The company’s Head of Product, Device and Innovation, T Kugan, said 30 selected secondary schools had successfully completed the eKelas pioneer programme. Maxis, in partnership with the Ministry of Education (MOE), today held a special ceremony to recognise the 30 selected secondary schools who have successfully completed the eKelas pioneer programme.

“The initial feedback that we received from the selected 30 schools was extremely positive and we think this is definitely going to be a differentiation in the market. It’s a huge potential, it’s taking Malaysia to the next step in terms of interactive learning and online solutions,” he told reporters at a special ceremony to recognise the success of the programme at the 30 schools.

He also said that Maxis worked closely with the ministry to ensure that the syllabus was in line with the national curriculum.

“Initially, the focus is on Maths and Science for forms one to three, but we are also working rapidly towards enabling for forms 4 and 5. So, by next year, you can see Maxis covering the whole spectrum of public secondary schools in Malaysia,” he added.

Maxis eKelas is now available to all Maxis and Hotlink customers for RM25 a month for the first account, and RM20 for subsequent accounts. — Bernama

“We need to find the right formula in terms of the kind of services and roles expected from telecommunication providers beyond what have been provided to us at present,” said deputy minister Datuk Jailani Johari.

“We believe telecommunication providers should extend the broadband coverage and if their services are not up to the mark, they should be held liable,” he told reporters after opening the Hulu Terengganu District Teachers’ Day celebration at Sekolah Menengah Sains Hulu Terengganu here yesterday.

He said consumers could complain to the Consumer Forum of Malaysia under the auspices of the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission if they were not happy with telecommunication services.

Jailani, who is also member of Parliament for Hulu Terengganu, later visited the Binjai Kertas Mosque here which saw part of its roof collapsed on Monday night.

He was accompanied by Hulu Terengganu district officer Datuk Wan Mohd Wan Ibrahim and Public Works Department (PWD) district engineer Samri Embong.

Samri said the roof collapse prompted the PWD to examine the roof of two other mosques in Kuala Ping and Sungai Ular for they used similar building material. — Bernama

“We will coordinate the filing of the petitions with DAP and PAS, our allies in the Pakatan Rakyat,” he told Bernama.

Electoral candidates and political parties have 21 days from yesterday to file the petitions. This follows the gazetting of the election results on Wednesday by the Election Commission.

PKR won 30 of the 89 parliamentary seats secured by Pakatan Rakyat in the election. — Bernama

The ministry, in a statement, said it seized 1,408 copies of Suara Keadilan, Harakah (1,062) and The Rocket (70) from stores on Wednesday.

The seizure was made because the tabloids failed to adhere to conditions stipulated under the Act involving printing, importing, publishing without a permit, and failing to abide by conditions in the permit, namely distributing copies only to members.

The crackdown was carried out following monitoring and after reminders had been sent by the ministry, it said, adding that the operation would continue in an effort to enforce the Act. — Bernama

He told the august house that he rejoiced at the ‘Promise of Hope’ given to the state by BN in its election manifesto for both projects.

“I cannot help but to rejoice at the ‘Promise of Hope’ given to Sarawak by the victorious BN government.

“So it is my hope that the building of the 2,300km Pan Borneo Highway stretching from Sematan to Serudung in Sabah, and building of another 2,800 km of paved roads in Sarawak be made,” he said.

He again hoped that the ‘Promise of Hope’ would be translated into ‘Janji ditepati’ (promise fulfilled) in the next five years.

He also said he was disappointed that “senior members” of the government had issued threats or warning to community leaders, thus depriving them of the fundamental basis of democracy.

On the development in Kapit, Lagong quoted Professor Dimbab Ngidang, Professor of Development Studies in Unimas, who said 50 years after the formation of Malaysia, Kapit had remained the only divisional administrative centre in the state that was not connected to other major towns by roads.

Raja Nazrin drew attention to the fate of two historical locations, Samarkand in Uzbekistan, and Istanbul in Turkey during the glorious days of the Ottoman Empire, in reminding the people that such glory could end due to the negligence of the leaders.

“The glory of Istanbul (during the Ottoman Empire), famed as a major trade centre and passage, as well as a growth centre for knowledge and where various religions also flourished, ended due to internal leadership conflict which caused political instability.

“Other factors included the failure to adapt to the technological advancements in sea transportation, which was much more efficient than the land routes, thus affecting the economic prosperity that they once enjoyed for a very long period of time.”

He said this at the opening of the 183rd Conference of the Perak Islamic Religious and Malay Custom Council, here, yesterday.

Raja Nazrin said the glorious era of the Ottoman Empire started to face various challenges, which led to its downfall when there was economic and political stagnation due to the weak leaders who became too comfortable with their success.

He said the scenario was among the observations recorded by a 14th century scholar and sociologist, Abdul Rahman Ibn Khaldun, who opined that when society attained much wealth, their character would often change.

Raja Nazrin said to build an impenetrable shield against destructive culture, the people (Muslims) needed to return to the divine revelations contained in the Quran and practise a culture of advising one another for the good of society.

Earlier, on behalf of the Perak State Islamic Religious and Malay Custom Council, Raja Nazrin received plantation and business zakat (tithe) totalling RM7,489,253.88 from five agencies.

The five were Lembaga Tabung Haji which gave RM2,923,240.01, Perak Bank Rakyat (RM2,068,225), Felcra Berhad, Perak Region (RM1,604,012.80), state Farmers Organisation (RM623,776) and Bank Islam Malaysia Berhad (RM270,000). — Bernama

He said as long as everyone was united to work towards peace and harmony, the country would not be affected by extreme and aggressive ideologies that sought to disrupt the peace.

“We should not allow any party to abuse religion for political means because the result of that is hatred and conflict.

“This will destroy unity and the rakyat (people) are the victims of all these,” he said in his Wesak Day message.

Wesak Day, which will be celebrated today, is an important event for Buddhists and Dr Chua said many temples had started to celebrate Wesak since last week to pray for the country’s peace and stability.

“On this meaningful day, we are able to witness our fellow Buddhist friends celebrating Wesak in peace and harmony, and this strongly reflects our multicultural society and respect for the different religions.

“MCA would like to wish all Buddhists a Happy and Meaningful Wesak Day.” — Bernama

Then again, some schoolteachers apparently tell their young Muslim students they will go blind if they step into a church. In the Antiochian Orthodox Church we found an Arabic prayer book that contained ‘Allah’ (just as I saw in Jordan last year) and wondered what those teachers would make of that, while at the gurdwara I was surprised to discover that our elderly host grew up in Seremban and Kuala Pilah! This is because we were in Melbourne amidst the first leg of the inaugural Muslim Australia-Malaysia Cultural Exchange Program [sic], initiated after the Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs’ visit to Malaysia in November 2012, supported by the Australian government and Australia-Malaysia Institute.

The six participants were from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Muslim Youth Movement of Malaysia (Abim), the Global Movement of the Moderates Foundation (GMMF), Sisters in Islam (SIS), the Muslimah Interest Zone And Networking Association (Mizan) and Ideas. We quickly established another commonality – Sumatran ancestry – all Minangkabau passing through Negeri Sembilan, except one Acehnese.

As soon as we arrived we were treated to an Australian Football League match – itself a vital (almost religious) part of local culture, according to our Seremban-born host, a lawyer and fanatic of the game. With hardly time to rest, the next three days were packed full of meetings with institutions that gave us an appreciation of how increasing ethnic, cultural and religious diversity is handled by the state of Victoria – for decentralisation has real substance here, with the states possessing significant powers to set up their own institutions to advance their own policies (And local government jealously guards its own powers too.).

A profound manifestation of this was the Victorian Multicultural Commission, whose chairperson was born in Johor, with one commissioner hailing from Ipoh. Established by state law in 2004, its remit includes promoting “full participation by Victoria’s diverse communities in the social, cultural, economic and political life of Victoria” and “interaction between individuals and communities from diverse backgrounds”.

I was sceptical of these objectives – particularly since it isn’t clear how a “community” is defined – but I was pacified by the reply that the commission is fully aware of the problems of legitimacy within self-defined “communities” and fully accepted that some individuals may have no desire to be a member of a “community”. Importantly, the state does not pressure any citizen to belong to one.

This approach – free from judgements of the comparative value of different cultures – is quite different from some other countries (current and historical) where the state explicitly elevates one culture or race above another, and defines its citizens to be members of an ethnic group from the day they are born.

The same approach was encountered in the other institutions and prominent Victorians that we met – from the Governor (a distinguished appointee representing the Queen of Australia), the Mayor of Greater Dandenong (elected by and amongst elected local councillors), to academic centres in La Trobe and Melbourne Universities, where many Malaysians were spotted.

One mind-bending visit was to a Muslim school, originally established by Turks but now teaching Muslims and non-Muslims from diverse backgrounds, whose walls were festooned with pictures of the staunchly secular Ataturk. The young Australian of Turkish descent I quizzed saw no contradiction in this whatsoever; yet it was a massive issue when I was in Istanbul only recently. That irony aside, I contemplated the chances of such a school existing in Malaysia – or a Malaysian-founded Muslim school in another continent that displayed pictures of our founding fathers. That evening I was persuaded to try halal kangaroo, which was conceptually easier to digest.

Another dinner was hosted by Malaysia’s Consul General in Melbourne (a chap from Port Dickson), who also welcomed the Australians visiting Malaysia in June under the same programme.

I also met remarkable young Malaysians who have set up a Melbourne-based magazine that is owned and run by Malaysians, for Malaysians. It is called JOM: Journal of Malaysians, is published bi-monthly with 3,000 print copies, and the cover story of its fourth issue features Melbourne’s last remaining World War II Malaya and Borneo veteran. It must be the one of the few Malaysian publications in the world that does not require a permit from the Home Ministry, and it’s also where you’ll find my piece on the second leg of my journey in Australia – Sydney.

Tunku Abidin Muhriz is president of Ideas.

HAPPY WESAK DAY: Three Buddhist monks (from left) Rev Piyarathero Thero, Rev Shieh Wen and Rev Shieh Lin lighting candles in conjunction with Wesak Day at the Kuching Buddhist Society temple in Kuching last night. Wesak Day – which is observed across the world today – is the most significant day in the Buddhist calendar and is a day of joy, peace and reflection. — Photo by Jeffery Mostapa

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, in conjunction with Wesak Day, called on Malaysians regardless of race or ethnicity to come together as one.

He said Malaysia was growing steadily towards Vision 2020, and stressed that it was possible to achieve only if the people could be united in times of peace and difficulties.

“There will be many obstacles for us to overcome in the next few years but I am confident that we as a nation can do it,” he said in his his Wesak Day message uploaded in his blog www.1malaysia.com yesterday. The prime minister also expressed hope for the people to set aside their differences at all levels of society.

“If there was one thing I could wish for our country, it would be for everyone to set aside their differences for the greater good. For neighbours to treat each other with kindness, spouses with love and siblings with kindness.

“For children to be respectful and parents to be nurturing. And of course for the people to prosper under this government, and for politicians to serve them to the best of their abilities. Here’s wishing all Malaysian Buddhists a Happy Wesak Day,” he said. As for the celebration today, Najib said there would be an abundance of joy, peace and forgiveness as people were seeking blessings for themselves and their loved ones.

He said volunteers were already working hard in preparing for Wesak Day which commemorates the birth, enlightenment and the passing of Gautama Buddha.

“All over Malaysia, temples will be bustling with activity as devotees flock to attend the various activities. Streets will be packed with processions of beautiful floats,” he added. — Bernama

He said the redelineation of electoral constituencies and boundaries could be carried out in accordance with Article 113 (2) (ii) of the Federal Constitution as the last exercise was done 10 years ago.

“The last exercise should have been conducted in 2011 as the last one was done in 2003, but we had to postpone it until the 13th general election was over.

“The review and redelineation of the parliamentary and state constituencies has to be carried out as the constitution stipulates than the EC has to carry out the exercise once every eight years.

“So we will carry out the exercise gradually before submitting it to Parliament,” he told Bernama after an interview with Bernama TV on the ‘Hello Malaysia’ programme Wednesday night.

He said the redelineation exercise was very important because the country had undergone many changes, including migration of people from city to city, over the last 10 years.

“For example, when we review the electoral boundaries in 2003, Kota Damansara was not as advanced as it is now. There was no Mutiara Damansara then and many squatter settlements had been cleared to make way for apartments, so definitely the distribution of voters has changed,” he said.

Commenting on Pakatan Rakyat’s call for the EC chairman and him to resign, claiming fraud in GE13, he said it was disrespectful of the constitution and the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

He said as an independent body that did not represent any party and appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong after consultation with the Conference of Rulers, the EC’s role should not be undermined.

“This call comes from narrow minded people. We had done our best. If we are not transparent and if the EC is in favour of Barisan Nasional, how come they could win 89 seats, and wrested Selangor and Penang easily?” he said.

Wan Ahmad said he believed the opposition had another agenda in mind or wanted to create havoc by inciting the people, particularly the younger generation by inflaming hatred. — Bernama

It said the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah, would officially open the meeting at 10 am on June 25 at Parliament House.

The office received from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak the proclamation summoning parliament to meet signed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, said the statement which was signed by Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia.

The statement also said that the Dewan Negara would meet for nine days from June 25.

The main business of the Dewan Rakyat would be the election of the speaker and his or her swearing-in following which the MPs would take their oath of office and the deputy speakers would be elected, the statement said. — Bernama

He named them as Tian Chua of PKR, activist Haris Ibrahim and Tamrin Tun Ghafar of PAS.

Mohmad said Tian Chua was held at the Low Cost Carrier Terminal in Sepang, Haris in Segambut and Tamrin in Bangsar, arrested under Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act 1948.

“All of them were taken to the Jinjang police station to have their statements recorded. The police can detain them for 24 hours and if they have to be held for a longer period, we can seek a remand order,” he said. — Bernama

This was confirmed by Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister Datuk Hassan Malek to Bernama when contacted here yesterday.

The price of RON97 petrol was last reviewed in March 2013 and was at the RM3 per litre level in September 2012.

The retail price of RON97 petrol is determined by a “managed float” in which the price will be changed according to market forces.

Meanwhile, Deputy President of Petrol Dealers Association of Malaysia Datuk Zulkifli Abdul Mokti said the reduction in the price of RON97 petrol was welcomed and it showed the government’s policy in prioritising the rakyat’s needs. — Bernama

Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister Datuk Hasan Malek said the price control would be enforced from May 25 to 31 under the Price Control Act and the Anti-Profiteering Act 2011.

The items are live chicken, standard chicken, super chicken, chicken wings, chicken eggs (grade A, B, C), local beef (cattle), local beef (buffalo), Indian beef, live pig (at farm level), pork belly, and pork and lard, he said in a statement.

Meanwhile, 11 items have been placed under the Price Control Scheme for the Gawai (harvest) Festival in 32 districts in Sarawak from May 27 to June 2.

They are live chicken, standard chicken, super chicken, old live chicken, chicken eggs (grade A, B, C), imported beef, live pig (at farm level), pork belly, and pork and lard. Hasan said the ministry would monitor the prices at public, morning and farmers’ markets with the help of consumers squads, village headmen, community leaders and non-governmental organisations.

Complaints can be made by emailing e-aduan@kpdnkk.gov.my, calling toll-free line 1-800-886-800, texting 15888 and typing KPDNKK ADUAN or visiting the ministry’s office in Sarawak, Sabah or Labuan. — Bernama