Dewan Negara News In Brief: Sept 3

RM27 MILLION IN MADANI BOOK VOUCHERS REDEEMED AS OF SEPT 1 - MOHE

KUALA LUMPUR -- A total of RM27 million from the RM50 million allocation for the MADANI Book Voucher initiative has been spent as of Sept 1, said Deputy Higher Education Minister Datuk Mustapha Sakmud.

He said the initiative, which provides RM100 vouchers to students of higher education institutions (IPTs), was launched on Aug 28 and had received encouraging response.

This, he said, reflected the actual needs of students, including part-time learners.

“Many feel the RM100 value is quite low, and the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) has proposed to the Finance Ministry that the amount vary according to level of study, including degree, master’s and PhD,” he said during the question-and-answer session at the Dewan Negara today.

He was responding to a question from Senator Dr Wan Martina Wan Yusoff, who asked whether the government planned to increase the value of the MADANI book vouchers, which is currently seen as low.

-- BERNAMA

RM12.477 BLN APPROVED TO REDEVELOP DILAPIDATED SCHOOLS FROM 2016 TO AUGUST 2025

KUALA LUMPUR -- The government has approved 1,175 projects worth RM12.477 billion for the redevelopment of dilapidated schools nationwide from 2016 to August 2025, the Dewan Negara was told today.

Deputy Education Minister Wong Kah Woh said during a question-and-answer session that of the total, 756 projects had been completed, 197 were under construction and 222 were in the pre-construction phase.

“For Sarawak, the government has approved 390 projects involving RM3.847 billion, with 265 completed, 60 under construction and 65 in the pre-construction phase,” he said in response to a question from Senator Pele Peter Tinggom, who wanted to know the number of dilapidated schools involved in the state.

-- BERNAMA

4,240 BENEFITTED FROM RURAL ENTREPRENEUR DIGITALISATION PROGRAMME AS OF AUGUST 2025

KUALA LUMPUR -- A total of 4,240 rural entrepreneurs have benefitted from the Rural Entrepreneur Digitalisation Programme (PPU) as of August 2025, according to Deputy Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Rubiah Wang.

She said the programme was part of the Rural and Regional Development Ministry’s (KKDW) efforts to strengthen the rural digitalisation agenda by providing practical training covering 12 e-commerce modules, including digital financial management, logistics, marketing and internet access, in collaboration with strategic partners such as banking institutions, fintech firms and digital platform providers.

“Apart from PPU, KKDW has also implemented the On-Bonding Desa Mall, which has marketed rural products through e-commerce platforms since 2019 and assisted 7,128 entrepreneurs with a cumulative income of RM1.29 million, as well as ICT training at the Rural Community Centre as a high-tech entrepreneur development hub,” she said during a question-and-answer session at the Dewan Negara today.

Replying to a question from Senator Micheal Mujah Lihan, Rubiah said KKDW, through agencies such as Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA), FELCRA, and regional development boards, has also implemented various programmes, including the Biznet Work Fiesta with TikTok, which as of last August had benefitted 13,080 entrepreneurs with an allocation of RM8.64 million.

-- BERNAMA

136 CASES OF CHILD SEXUAL MISCONDUCT AT TAHFIZ INSTITUTIONS RECORDED FROM 2020 TO JUNE

KUALA LUMPUR -- A total of 136 sexual misconduct cases involving tahfiz institutions and religious schools were recorded nationwide from 2020 until June this year, said Deputy Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Shamsul Anuar Nasarah.

He said the government took the issue seriously and had introduced several firm measures, including amendments to the Child Act 2001 to strengthen protection for children from all forms of abuse, including those linked to technology and the cyber world.

“The government has also established sexual crime courts against children nationwide to ensure that cases involving child victims are handled with greater sensitivity and that the trial process is expedited.

“This is further supported by strengthening the Social Welfare Department (JKM) through the deployment of additional trained officers to detect early signs of abuse,” he said in reply to a question from Senator Tuan Baharuddin Ahmad on the government’s firm measures to address the rising cases of sexual misconduct against children in tahfiz institutions and religious schools at the Dewan Negara today.

-- BERNAMA