MORE GET HIGHER EDUCATION WITH PTPTN

KUALA LUMPUR: Those who do not understand the government's intention of establishing the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) would always attempt to politicise the issue, said Universiti Putra Malaysia's vice-chancellor Datuk Dr Radin Umar Radin Sohadi.

He said yesterday that one needed to analyse the higher education financing model to determine the effectiveness of PTPTN.

"In the 1970s, the number of students in Malaysia pursuing higher education was smaller. Therefore, the government could afford to give scholarships easily.

"Now, the number is much larger. If the government intends to provide education as a birthright, it will require an effective financing model."

Radin Umar, who was former Higher Education Ministry director-general, said that PTPTN represented such a model.

"Our country's higher education currently stands at 42 per cent of students and we need to reach a target of at least 50 per cent to become a developed nation.

"PTPTN is one way of ensuring more people are given access to higher education."

Radin Umar also said that "to get rid of poverty, the people needed to be educated".

"Abolishing PTPTN would be equal to depriving a large sector of the population from education."

He said the government was trying its best to abolish poverty by providing education loans and subsidies for students from poor families so that they could get better-paying jobs later.

Read more: More get higher education with PTPTN - General - New Straits Times 

PENANG UMNO 'SAD OVER TUSSLE FOR POST'

GEORGE TOWN: Penang Umno yesterday expressed regret over the statement by Penang Deputy Chief Minister I, Datuk Mansor Osman, on the appointment of the Penang Islamic Affairs Council (MAINPP) president and described it as political theatrics that were not acceptable.

Speaking to reporters here yesterday, Penang Umno Liaison Committee chairman Datuk Zainal Abidin Osman said the way the issue was handled showed the state government leadership was neither transparent nor smart.

He said the decision by the state government to push for its preferred candidate -- Penang Pas Commissioner Datuk Mohd Salleh Man -- to be named MAINPP president showed their irresponsible attitude, which had denied the decision by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, who had approved the appointment of Abdul Malik Abul Kassim from Parti Keadilan Rakyat to the post.

Read more on: Penang Umno 'sad over tussle for post' - Politics - New Straits Times

CHANGES TO PRINTING PRESSES ACT LAUDED

KUALA LUMPUR: The recent amendment to the Printing Presses and Publications Act was welcomed by the media fraternity and the public.

Universiti Sains Malaysia's political analyst Associate Professor Dr Sivamurugan Pandian said the amendment was timely.

"But there should be revisions made every three years based on the current situation in the country."

He added that the act should be accompanied by laws to safeguard the public and ensure it does not hurt the sensitivity of the multiracial community.

"We must also look into other laws to protect the public."

He added that if the law was retained, it would cripple the country's development.

When asked about parties who did not welcome the amendment, he said it would be difficult to satisfy everyone but what was right should be done.

The National Union of Journalists said the move was encouraging but suggested that licensing be abolished.

Its secretary general, V. Anbalagan, said that 25 years ago, the print media had the monopoly but with the arrival of online media, the industry had seen many changes.

"Newspapers will lose readership when there is no balanced view because the public has other alternative to get news.

"The print media industry must play a more responsible role in reporting and display a more diverse range of opinions and views when publishing news."

Read more: Changes to Printing Presses Act lauded - General - New Straits Times

ANTI-GAY GROUPS TO GO AHEAD WITH GATHERING

KUALA LUMPUR: JARINGAN Melayu Malaysia (JMM) said it would proceed with plans to stage a peaceful assembly against LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) practices after it was rejected a permit to gather at Dataran Merdeka.

Its president, Azwanddin Hamzah Said, said the assembly, scheduled to take place tomorrow at 3pm, would go ahead as the participating NGO groups were already "prepared to mobilise".

However, he said they understood the concerns raised by Mayor Tan Sri Ahmad Fuad Ismail over staging the assembly at Dataran Merdeka.

"We respect the mayor's decision and acknowledge that we have a sense of responsibility to road users and businessmen who may be affected by our actions.

"I will now sit with leaders from the other NGOs to discuss a more suitable venue," he said after a brief meeting with Fuad at City Hall here yesterday.

JMM and five other NGOs, including the Coalition of Malaysian NGOs, Federation of Peninsular Malay Students (GPMS) and Malay Veterans Association (PVTM), had applied for the permit last Friday.

Azwanddin said he was confident the assembly would be given the green light to take place elsewhere despite the short notice. He said they would meet with the police today to discuss their next move.

Meanwhile, PVTM president Mohd Ali Baharom urged the mayor to be fair to all parties.

"If our permit has been rejected, then he should be consistent and turn down the opposition's appeal as well."

Read more: Anti-gay groups to go ahead with gathering - General - New Straits Times